John J. Connolly

John Joseph Connolly (born January 20, 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky; died 1929 in Birmingham) was a trainmaster for the St Louis-San Francisco Railway in Birmingham.

Connolly grew up in Kentucky and attended public schools. He began his career as a railroad fireman at age 17 and subsequently served as a brakeman, switchman and conductor for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in Earlington, Kentucky. In August 1886 he was transferred to Memphis, Tennessee and took on the duties of yardmaster there.

After moving to Birmingham he served as yardmaster, assistant trainmaster, conductor and terminal trainmaster. He married Alice Kelly in Memphis in October 1892. After her death he remarried, to Mary Elizabeth Hayden, on October 28, 1896. The family resided at 1530 20th Street North.

Connolly retired from the Frisco Lines on August 18, 1928 due to total disability. His 33 1/2 years of service entitled him to collect a pension of $102.85 per month.

References

• "The Pension Roll" (December 1928) The Frisco Employes' Magazine [sic], p. 22