Representative Joseph Henry O’Neil

Joseph Henry O’Neil served as a Representative from Massachusetts in the United States Congress from 1889 to 1895. A member of the Democratic Party, Joseph Henry O’Neil contributed to the legislative process during 3 terms in office.

Joseph Henry O’Neil’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Joseph Henry O’Neil participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Joseph Henry O’Neil (March 23, 1853 – February 19, 1935) was a U.S. representative from Massachusetts. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, O’Neil moved with his parents to Boston in 1854. He attended the common schools. He graduated from Quincy Grammar School, Boston. Ten years at the carpenter’s trade. He served as member of the Boston School Committee 1874-1877. He served as member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1878-1882 and in 1884. He served as member of the Board of Directors for Public institutions from 1880 to 1886 and was chairman of the board the last eighteen months. He served as Boston city clerk in 1887 and 1888. O’Neil was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third Congresses (March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1895). He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1894. He served as assistant treasurer of the United States at Boston by appointment of President Cleveland in 1895–1899. Organized the Federal Trust Co., of Boston, in 1899 and served as its president until 1922, when it merged into the Federal National Bank, and then served as chairman of the board of directors until his death. He served as member of the board of sinking fund commissioners in 1899–1909. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1916. He died in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1935, and was interred in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline, Massachusetts. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1925 Boston mayoral election.