Andrew Connolly, founder of the family, was born in Portarlington, county Kings, Ireland, June 10, 1814, died August 31, 1899, in Phelps, Ontario county, New York. He emigrated to Geneva, New – York, in 1852, and found work as a maltster. Later he became an engineer on the lake for a number of years. He was a member of the Roman Catholic parish of St. Francis, at Phelps. He married Julia Dunn, who was born at Portarlington; county Kings. Ireland, born April 14, 1814, died May 20, 1885. Children : Hugh, born September 5, 1842, a government inspector of mines in Australia; John, born March 5, 1844, died October 1, 1893; Anna, born May 28, 1846, deceased; Ellen, born December i 1, 1850; Robert Emmet, referred to elsewhere.
Robert Emmet, son of Andrew and Julia (Dunn) Connolly, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, April i, 1860, and is now (1910) living in that town. Until he was twelve years of age he attended the public schools, and then he went to work in a grocery store. Three years later he took a position in a dry-goods store which he held for four years, and then started with a partner, Mr. Ryan, independently to conduct a dry-goods and grocery store, under the firm name of Ryan & Connolly. Six years later, in 1886, he purchased his partner’s interest in the business and since then has been managing it for himself. He is vice-president of the Lawrence Bostwick Manufacturing Company and treasurer of the Crown Manufacturing Company. He was appointed postmaster of Phelps, by President Grover Cleveland, and held the position for five years. He has been president of the village for five years, and during his administration inaugurated many improvements, among which were the present system of cement walks, five miles being laid. He is a trustee of St. Francis Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, a member of the Phelps Board of Trade, a member of the White Hose Company, and was a charter member of the Redfield Hose Company. He was elected Election Commissioner of Ontario County. He married, June 8, 1886, Mary A., daughter of Daniel Sommers, of Hopewell, New York. Children: John E. born October 12, 1887; Marie, March 5, 1891.