John P. Connarn
John P. Connarn | |
---|---|
![]() Newspaper advertisement photo from 1966 reelection campaign | |
Vermont Attorney General | |
In office January 7, 1965 – January 4, 1967 | |
Preceded by | Charles E. Gibson Jr. |
Succeeded by | James L. Oakes |
Judge of the Vermont District Court | |
In office January 27, 1967 – September 30, 1985 | |
Preceded by | None (position created) |
Succeeded by | Shireen A. Fisher |
Judge of the Montpelier, Vermont Municipal Court | |
In office February 1, 1963 – January 1, 1965 | |
Preceded by | Joseph W. Foti |
Succeeded by | Grace J. McGuire |
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Northfield | |
In office January 8, 1957 – January 3, 1961 | |
Preceded by | Glendon N. King |
Succeeded by | Howard N. Hanson |
Personal details | |
Born | Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. | July 8, 1917
Died | March 26, 2002 Berlin, Vermont, U.S. | (aged 84)
Resting place | Aldrich Cemetery, Northfield, Vermont, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouses |
|
Children | 3 |
Education | Norwich University (BA) University of Maine School of Law (LL.B.) |
Profession | Attorney |
Military career | |
Service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1941–1947 |
Rank | Captain |
Service number | O-414143[1] |
Unit | 87th Infantry Regiment 179th Infantry Regiment |
Wars | World War II |
Awards | Combat Infantryman Badge Purple Heart European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three campaign stars |
John P. Connarn (July 8, 1917 – March 26, 2002) was an attorney, politician, and judge from Northfield, Vermont who served as the state Attorney General from 1965 to 1967.
Early life
[edit]John Patrick Connarn was born in Brattleboro, Vermont on July 8, 1917, the son of Frederick M. Connarn and Margaret (Holland) Connarn.[2] He was raised and educated in Northfield, Vermont, and graduated from Northfield High School in 1936.[3] Connarn subsequently attended Norwich University, from which he received his bachelor's degree in 1941.[3]
Military service
[edit]After college, Connarn joined the United States Army to serve during World War II.[4] He served initially with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Myer, Virginia.[4] When the army created unites including the 87th Infantry Regiment to train for mountain and winter warfare, Connarn volunteered, and served at locations including Camp Hale, Colorado.[5] Connarn was subsequently assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Division at Fort Clark, Texas.[4]
Following additional training at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1943 Connarn was assigned to the 179th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 45th Infantry Division.[4] He served in the North African campaign, including the post-Operation Torch occupation of sites in Morocco and Algeria.[4] The 179th Infantry took part in the August 1944 Operation Dragoon invasion of southern France, and took part in combat as a platoon leader in the regiment's Company E.[4] He took part in battles that followed the Dragoon landings, and was severely wounded in France in October 1944.[4]
Connarn underwent extensive recuperation at several military hospitals, including Naples, Italy, Clinton, Iowa, and Fort Carson, Colorado.[4] He attained the rank of captain, and remained in the army until being medically retired in 1947.[1][3] Connarn was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, and European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three campaign stars.[4]
Start of career
[edit]Connarn graduated from the University of Maine School of Law in 1952 and became an attorney in Northfield.[6] A Democrat, he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1956 and served two two-year terms, 1957 to 1961.[3]
In 1963, Connarn was appointed judge of Montpelier's municipal court, and he served until 1965.[7][8] in 1964 he was elected Vermont Attorney General and served two years, 1965 to 1967.[3] Connarn was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1966.[9]
Later career
[edit]In 1967, Connarn was appointed a Judge of the Vermont District Court, and he served until his retirement in 1985.[3] After leaving the bench, Connarn owned and operated Northfield's Margaret Holland Inn and served two terms on the local school board.[3] He was a scout master in the local Boy Scout troop, president of the Norwich University Alumni Association, and was active in Northfield's American Legion Post.[3]
Death and burial
[edit]Connarn died in Berlin, Vermont on March 26, 2002.[2] He was buried at Aldrich Cemetery (West Hill Cemetery) in Northfield.[6]
Family
[edit]Connarn was married first to Phyllis Pitcher, and later to artist Alicia Stonebreaker.[6] After his second wife's death, he married Stanislawa (Barbara) Prostacka Michalek.[2][3][6] He was the father of two daughters and a son, as well as four stepsons.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b U.S. Army Adjutant General (1951). Official U.S. Army Register. Vol. I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 949 – via Ancestry.com.
- ^ a b c "John Patrick Connarn in Vermont Birth Records, 1909-2008". Ancestry.com. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1917.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Doyle, William (2003). "Joint Senate Resolution 130". leg.state.vt.us. Vermont State Senate.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Lieut. Connarn Is Recuperating From His Wounds". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. May 1, 1945. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wedding Announcement: Pitcher–Connarn". Northfield News and Advertiser. Northfield, VT. September 24, 1942. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Obituary, John P. Connarn". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 29, 2002. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "John Connarn Appointed Judge of Montpelier Municipal Court". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Barre, VT. February 1, 1963. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vermont's Lady Judge". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. January 1, 1965. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kershner, Charles (November 9, 1966). "Hoff Wins Third Term in Landslide Victory". Bennington Banner. Bennington, VT. United Press International. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1917 births
- 2002 deaths
- Politicians from Brattleboro, Vermont
- People from Washington County, Vermont
- Vermont lawyers
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- Norwich University alumni
- University of Maine School of Law alumni
- Democratic Party members of the Vermont House of Representatives
- Vermont attorneys general
- 20th-century American judges
- Burials in Vermont
- United States Army officers
- Military personnel from Vermont
- 20th-century American politicians
- 20th-century American lawyers