Michael P. O'Connor (politician)

Michael Patrick O'Connor
Frontispiece of 1882's Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Michael P. O'Connor, a Representative from South Carolina
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1879 – April 26, 1881
Preceded by	Richard H. Cain
Succeeded by	Edmund W.M. Mackey
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from St. Philip's and St. Michael's Parish
In office November 22, 1858 – December 23, 1864
Personal details
Born	September 29, 1831 Beaufort, South Carolina, US
Died	April 26, 1881(1881-04-26) (aged 49) Charleston, South Carolina, US
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	St. John's College
Profession	Attorney, politician
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Michael Patrick O'Connor (September 29, 1831 – April 26, 1881) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from South Carolina from 1879 to 1881.

Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, O'Connor attended the public schools and was graduated from St. John's College, Fordham, New York, in 1850.^[1] He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1854 and commenced practice in Charleston, South Carolina.^[1] During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate military as a lieutenant in the Lafayette Light Artillery.

He served as member of the South Carolina House of Representatives 1858–1866. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1872 and 1876. He argued against secession in the state house of representatives.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1874 to the Forty-fourth and in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congresses, but was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881).

He received credentials as a Member-elect to the Forty-seventh Congress, but died, pending a contest by Edmund W.M. Mackey (which subsequently resulted successfully for the contestant), in Charleston, South Carolina, April 26, 1881.^[2] He was interred in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

• Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Michael P. O'Connor, a Representative from South Carolina. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. 1882.

• United States Congress. "Michael P. O'Connor (id: O000031)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Works by or about Michael P. O'Connor at the Internet Archive