Joseph A. Conry Explained

Joseph Aloysius Conry
Office:Director of the Port of Boston
Term Start:1911
Term End:1916
Office1:Consul of Russia to the United States
Monarch1:Nicholas II
Term Start1:1912
Term End1:1919
State2:Massachusetts
District2:9th
Term Start2:March 4, 1901
Term End2:March 3, 1903
Preceded2:John F. Fitzgerald
Office3:Chairman of the Boston Board of Aldermen
Term Start3:April 1, 1898
Term End3:October 1, 1898
Preceded3:Perlie Appelton Dyar
Succeeded3:David Frankln Barry
Office4:Member of the Boston Board of Aldermen
Term4:1898
Office5:President of the Boston Common Council
Term Start5:1896
Term End5:1897
Preceded5:Christopher Francis O'Brien
Succeeded5:Timothy Lawrence Connolly
Office6:Member of the Boston Common Council
from Ward 2[1]
Term Start6:1895
Term End6:1897
Succeeded6:Joseph F. Hickey
Birth Date:12 September 1868
Birth Place:Brookline, Massachusetts,
United States
Death Place:Washington, D.C.,
United States
Restingplace:Mount Olivet Cemetery
Party:Democratic

Joseph Aloysius Conry (September 12, 1868 – June 22, 1943) was an American politician who served as a United States representative from Massachusetts. Although he served only a single term, he received national attention for his reformist views. He remained a highly popular speaker and writer, despite losing an election to Congress in 1908. Before serving in Congress, he held municipal office in Boston.

Russia named him Consul to the United States in 1912, a position in which he served until 1919. He was also director of the Port of Boston from 1911 to 1916.

Early career

Conry was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on September 12, 1868. He attended the common schools, studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Boston.

Municipal government

Conry served from 1895 through 1897 as a member of the Boston Common Council from ward 2. He served as president of the Common Council in 1896 and 1897.[1] Conry served on the Boston Board of Aldermen in 1898, and was the chairman of the board.[1]

United States Congress

Conry was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives for the 57th United States Congress (March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1902 to the 58th United States Congress, and resumed the practice of his profession in Boston.

Defeats in the 1908 congressional election

In 1908 Conry was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic congressional nomination in Massachusetts's 9th congressional district. Conry first lost in the Democratic primary, and in the general election as an independent candidate, losing both times to John A. Keliher.

Consul to the United States from Russia

He was recognized as consul of Russia in September 1912 and served until 1919. Conry was decorated by Czar Nicholas II, and was made a member of the Knights of St. Anne.

Later career

Conry served as director of the Port of Boston from 1911 to 1916. He served as special attorney for the United States Maritime Commission in Washington, D.C., in 1938 and 1939, then practiced law there.

Death and burial

Conry died at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. June 22, 1943. He was interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.[2]

References

Notes

  1. Web site: A Catalogue of the City Councils of Boston, 1822-1908, Roxbury, 1846-1867, Charlestown, 1847-1873 and of the Selectmen of Boston, 1634-1822: Also of Various Other Town and Municipal Officers . City of Boston Printing Department . 31 October 2022 . 48, 158, 165 . en . 1909.
  2. News: Joseph A. Conry . 1943-06-23 . . 11 . 2022-01-12 . Newspapers.com.