OKGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of OKGenWeb State Coordinator. Presentation here does not extend any permissions to the public. This material can not be included in any compilation, publication, collection, or other reproduction for profit without permission. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ===================================================================== BENJAMIN C. CONNER Vol. 3, p. 987 As almost a complete record of the history of Tulsa could be contained within a period of ten years, Benjamin C. Conner, who began his practice as an Oklahoma lawyer at Tulsa in 1907, will by later generations be regarded in the light of a pioneer member of the local bar. Mr. Conner is a Chicago man who received his education in that city and his early experience as a lawyer, and since locating in Tulsa has enjoyed distinctive prestige as a skillful attorney and influential citizen. Benjamin C. Conner was born in Crisfield, Maryland, October 12, 1879, a son of John W. and Emma (MCCREADY) Conner. Both parents were natives of Maryland. His father was born January 13, 1839, and died in Chicago, November 12, 1892. There were nine children in the family, two of whom died in infancy, while the widowed mother, who was born January 26, 1839, and seven of her children, are still living. John W. Conner for a number of years before his death had been a prominent and influential merchant in Chicago. His early life was spent on a Maryland farm, and he also taught school in his native state. He enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil war, made a record of efficiency and fidelity as a soldier, and at the close of the war became deputy collector of customs at Crisfield, Maryland, a position he held for several years. With the organization of the Lycoming Rubber Company he removed to Boston, and was a member of the firm of Sanford & Conner, selling agents for the company, with headquarters in Boston. About 1885 he took up his residence in Chicago, and had personal supervision of the Western Agency of the Lycoming Rubber Company until his death. He was a man of excellent business judgment, of thorough integrity, and had many lovable traits as a man and citizen. He was active as a church worker, and in many ways charitably disposed and active. He was one of the leading members of the Park Avenue Methodist Church of Chicago and superintendent of its Sunday School. Benjamin C. Conner began his education in the Brown School in Chicago. Later attended the John Marshall High School, the Northwestern University, and finished his law course with the John Marshall Law School in 1904. The following two years were spent in the law department of the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, with Gardiner Lathrop as general attorney. In January, 1907, Mr. Conner came to Tulsa and became associated with Carl C. and Percival E. MAGEE under the firm name of Magee, Magee & Conner. This firm enjoyed a harmonious relationship and a large share in local legal affairs until January, 1911, since which date Mr. Conner has practiced as an individual. In May 1913, Judge Ralph E. Campbell appointed him United States Commissioner for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and he combined the duties of that important responsibility with his large private practice. Mr. Conner is a member of the Tulsa County Bar Society and the Oklahoma State Bar Association. He takes much interest in local affairs, is a member of the Rotary Club and the Commercial Club, worships in the Methodist Church and in politics is a republican. On December 25, 1909, Mr. Conner, married Blanche M. ROBINSON, who was born in Wichita, Kansas. They are the parents of one son, James Benjamin. Typed for OKGenWeb by: Earline Sparks Barger, Decenber 18, 1998.