Jerry Joseph OâCONNELL, Congress, MT (1909-1956)
OâCONNELL, Jerry Joseph, a Representative from Montana; born in Butte, Silver Bow County, Mont., June 14, 1909; attended the parochial schools and Butte Central High School; was graduated from Carroll College (formerly Mount St. Charles College), Helena, Mont., in 1931, and from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., in 1934; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1934; served in the State house of representatives 1931-1934; member of the Montana Public Service Commission 1934-1936; delegate to the Democratic State conventions 1930-1940; elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-fifth Congress (January 3, 1937-January 3, 1939); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1938 to the Seventy-sixth Congress and for election in 1940 to the Seventy-seventh Congress; newspaper editor and publisher in Hamilton, Mont., 1939-1941; commenced the practice of law in Butte, Mont., in 1940; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1944; moved to Seattle, Wash., in June 1944; executive secretary of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee from December 1944 to January 1947, for the Roosevelt Democrats in 1947, and for the Washington State Progressive Party in 1948 and 1949; returned to Montana in 1950 and practiced law in Great Falls until his death there January 16, 1956; interment in Great Falls Mausoleum.
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
