patrick edward connor was born in rural county kerry, ireland on st. patrick's day, 1820. he emigrated to the united states and enlisted, as "patrick edward o'connor", in the united states army on november 28, 1839. in addition to service in the seminole wars, he served as a dragoon at fort leavenworth, fort atkinson, fort sandford, and at the second fort des moines. he was honorably discharged as a private on november 28, 1844, and after two years in new york, he moved to texas. on april 5, 1845, he became a naturalized citizen.