Thomas J. Conley (Connelly) was most certainly born in Ireland, although many sources place his birth in England. He was naturalized in Eddy County, North Dakota on May 27, 1891. The New Rockford Transcript reports his death as June 3, 1892. From his headstone, it is known that he served in the 104th Illinois Infantry, Company K during the Civil War. According to the Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls, Thomas entered service on August 13, 1862 at Ottawa, Illinois when he was 23 years old. His residence was listed as Peru, Illinois, and his occupation as farmer. He was unmarried. He entered the war with a rank of Private, but ended the war as a Corporal. The 104th Illinois infantry fought in these notable battles during the Civil War.
NOTABLE BATTLES:
Hartsville -Skirmish fought on December 7th, 1862 near Hartsville, Tennessee
Chickamauga - fought on September 19th, 1863 to September 20th, 1863 near Catoosa County, Georgia; Walker Co, Georgia
Missionary Ridge - fought on November 25th, 1863 near Chattanooga
Resaca - fought on May 13th to May 16th, 1864 near Gordon County, Georgia; Whitfield County, Georgia
New Hope Church - fought on May 25th to May 26, 1864 near Paulding County, Georgia
Pickett's Mill - fought on May 27th, 1864 near Paulding County, Georgia
Dallas - fought on May 27th to June 4th, 1864 near Paulding County, Georgia
Kennesaw Mountain - fought on June 27th, 1864 near Cobb County, Georgia
Peachtree Creek - fought on July 20th, 1864 near Fulton County, Georgia
Atlanta - fought on July 22nd, 1864 near Fulton County, Georgia; DeKalb County, Georgia
Jonesborough - fought on August 31st to September 1st, 1864 near Clayton County, Georgia
Altoona - fought on October 5th, 1864 near Bartow County, Georgia
Lookout Mountain - fought on November 23rd, 1864 near Chattanooga
Bentonville - fought on March 19th to March 21st, 1865 near Bentonville, NC
Most of these battles were part of Sherman's March to Atlanta.

Corporal Conley mustered out on June 6, 1865, after the Civil War was officially over at the age of 27.