John Conness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Conness
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| United States Senator from California |
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| In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1869 |
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| Preceded by | Milton S. Latham |
| Succeeded by | Eugene Casserly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 22, 1821 Abbey, County Galway, Ireland |
| Died | January 10, 1909 (aged 87) Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Democratic Party, Union Republican |
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John Conness (born September 22, 1821 – died January 10, 1909) was an important American politician. He was born in Ireland and came to the United States as a teenager. John Conness became a United States Senator for California from 1863 to 1869. This was during the American Civil War and the time right after it, called Reconstruction.
He helped create Yosemite National Park. He also voted to end slavery in the United States. Conness strongly supported Chinese immigration and their civil rights. This was not a popular idea in California at the time.
Contents
Early Life in Ireland
John Conness was born in a place called Abbey in County Galway, Ireland. His birthday was September 22, 1821. He was the youngest of fourteen children in his family.
His father, Walter Conness, was a respected man. John said his father was "a very dignified and intellectual man." People often came to him for advice.
Coming to America
In 1836, when John Conness was 15, he moved to the United States. He lived on the East Coast, mainly in New York, for over ten years. During this time, he learned how to build pianofortes. He also worked as a merchant, selling goods.
In 1849, Conness moved to California. He wanted to join the exciting California Gold Rush. Thousands of people, called "forty-niners," rushed to California for gold.
He spent two years mining for gold. He worked at places like Mormon Island. Even after he stopped mining, he stayed interested in the gold industry. After making some money, he settled in Georgetown. There, he opened a store to sell supplies to other miners.
Becoming a Senator for California
California was growing very fast with many new people. In the 1850s, the Democratic Party was the main political group. It tried to represent all the different interests of the new residents.
John Conness was elected to the State Assembly in California twice. He ran for lieutenant governor in 1859 but lost. Then, he ran for governor in 1861 and lost again.
Even though he lost those elections, the state legislature chose him. They picked him to be a United States Senator for California. This was for the term starting in 1863. Back then, state legislatures, not the people, chose senators.
Working with President Lincoln
John Conness started as a Democrat who supported Stephen A. Douglas. Later, he became a Union Republican while serving in the Senate. He earned the respect of President Abraham Lincoln.
The two men worked together on important laws. They helped protect the land that later became Yosemite National Park and Mariposa Grove. Conness also supported Lincoln's plans for the Civil War.
President Lincoln trusted Conness. He once said Conness was "habitually careful not to say what he does not know." Lincoln also described him as "one of our United States Senators, of high standing."
Conness was with other senators on the night Lincoln was shot. They heard about the attack on Secretary of State William H. Seward. Then they rushed to the White House and learned Lincoln had been shot. Conness believed it was a plot to harm the whole government. He sent soldiers to protect the Secretary of War.
John Conness had the honor of being a pallbearer at Lincoln's funeral. This happened on April 19, 1865.
Standing Up for Immigrants
After the Civil War, during the Reconstruction period, Conness took a brave stand. He strongly supported Chinese immigration and their civil rights.
At this time, many people in California had strong anti-Chinese feelings. Conness's views were unusual and unpopular. Because of this, he lost support from his political party. However, he truly believed in fairness and justice for all immigrants.
Later Life and Legacy
After his term as Senator ended in 1869, John Conness moved to Boston, Massachusetts. This city was a big center for Irish-Americans. He lived there for almost 40 years.
He passed away in 1909 in a special hospital in Jamaica Plain, which is now part of Boston. He was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Dorchester, Boston.
John Conness left behind an important legacy:
- He helped create Yosemite National Park by supporting federal land grants for Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove.
- Mount Conness and Conness Creek in the Sierra Nevada mountains are named after him.
- He voted for the changes to the Constitution that ended slavery. He also voted to give citizenship to formerly enslaved people.
- He was a strong supporter of immigration and civil rights for Chinese people in California.
- He was the last surviving pallbearer from Abraham Lincoln's funeral.
See also
- List of United States senators born outside the United States
