J. Harvey O’Connell, manager since 1918 with the firm Haskins & Sells, certified public accountants of St. Louis, was born in this city, October 27, 1883, his parents being Patrick and Kathleen (Royce) O’Connell. The father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when quite young, settling in this city, where for many years he was recognized as a prominent attorney.
J. Harvey O’Connell was the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children. He pursued a public school education in St. Louis and was graduated in 1910 from the City College of Law and Finance. He initiated his business career as accountant with the Missouri Pacific Railway Company and remained with that corporation for five years, during a part of which time he was attending college. He was afterward with various firms and manufacturing companies as an accountant, and on the 16th of January, 1911, became connected with the firm of Haskins & Sells as a member of the staff. In 1918 he was advanced to the position of manager and has since continued in this capacity, becoming also a member of the firm on the 1st of December, 1920.
In St. Louis, on the 27th of November. 1919, Mr. O’Connell was married to Miss Mary Marguerite Walsh. They are Catholics in religious faith, and in politics Mr. O’Connell is an Independent democrat. He finds his recreation in golf, swimming and reading. He is a member of the Missouri Athletic Association of St. Louis and is well known in organizations which have to do with his particular line of business. At the present time he is serving as secretary of the State Board of Accounts of Missouri, is president of the St. Louis chapter of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, is a member of the American Institute of Accountants, and the American Association of University Instructors In Accounting.