Wm. Conner, engineer for the S.C. & P. transfer company, was born in Va. in 1842; moved to Ill. in 1849, and in 1859 engaged in steam boating on the Mississippi River. In 1866 he went to Quincy, Ill., and took charge of the machine shops for two years; then came to Missouri Valley and was employed in his present position. He has been absent one year since coming to this city, traveling on the Pacific coast.