5 Replies Latest reply on Oct 8, 2020 3:08 PM by Alice Lane

Seeking location of saddle & harness shop(s)

David Feehan Oct 5, 2020 3:40 PM

My great grandfather John Brandley Connolly from Drogheda worked or owned a harness and saddle shop in Newark, New York and Baltimore before moving to Chicago and starting a similar business at 867 South Halstead Street. He entered a horse collar in the Chicago World's Fair and won first prize. He then moved the family and the business to Minneapolis, and eventually followed his sons to Montana, where the Connolly saddle was considered by many to be the finest western saddle. I am trying to find evidence of his shops before he moved to Chicago, or photos of the shops before he moved to Montana.

Re: Seeking location of saddle & harness shop(s)

Susannah Brooks Oct 5, 2020 8:11 PM (in response to David Feehan)

According to this bio/business history, John Connolly was in Minnesota by 1865. Since he would have been in his early twenties at the time, if this story is correct, it is doubtful that he had his own businesses in Newark, NY, and Baltimore, although he may have lived and worked in those places. https://www.vintagegunleather.com/company-marks/connolly_history.html
Another story about his business http://anyflip.com/zbfz/mspf/basic
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- Re: Seeking location of saddle & harness shop(s)
  
  David Feehan Oct 8, 2020 3:30 PM (in response to Susannah Brooks)
  
  thanks so much for your help. I am finding our more each day.
  
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Re: Seeking location of saddle & harness shop(s)

Cara Jensen Oct 8, 2020 12:00 PM (in response to David Feehan)

Dear Mr. Feehan,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

Most cities and counties have yearly directories for residents and businesses. Some of these directories are indexed by address but most are alphabetical. We suggest you consult the FamilySearch wiki on United States Directories for these resources..

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!
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- Re: Seeking location of saddle & harness shop(s)
  
  David Feehan Oct 8, 2020 3:30 PM (in response to Cara Jensen)
  
  Thank you so much!
  
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Re: Seeking location of saddle & harness shop(s)

Alice Lane Oct 8, 2020 3:08 PM (in response to David Feehan)

Welcome to History Hub.
Found Mr. Connolly in the1910 Census in Flathead Montana as a widower on
familysearch.org...family search is a free web site...you just need to register
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLCW-WCQ
Found your great-grandfather's obituary on newspapers.com.
The date of death is wrong in this obit..the newspaper date is March 25, 1928
Alice Lane,
Research Volunteer
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