From the book "Jewell's Crescent City, Illustrated by Edwin Jewell published
1873

"John R. Conway was born in Alexandria, Virginia, August 24, 1825. His ancestors
were from Wales, and emigrated to the State of his nativity in the reign of
Charles the Second. Their exists now among their descendants, family portraits
brought over from England at the time of their settlement on the Potomac,
antique relics of the days of the Stuarts, and prized as mementos of the men
who, in common with all Virginia, repudiated Cromwell and his Roundheads,
adhering under all circumstances to the fortunes and dynasty of Charles the
First and Charles the Second, and the Cavaliers of the Restoration.
Mr. Conway came to New Orleans in December 1843, and actively engaged in a
mercantile life, being connected with one of the largest Commission and Cotton
firms in a position of great trust and responsibility to the time of the capture
of the City, in April 1862, by the Federal forces. Business being thenceforth
suspended in all of its legitimate branches, and in common with his Southern
friends and neighbors, he made no effort to resume his own during the military
occupation of the city.
At the close of hostilities in 1865 he again embarked in mercantile business as
a Wholesale Grocer and Commission Merchant, which was successfully carried on up
to 1867. During this time, and at all times since his residence in New Orleans,
it was well known that he never considered it inconsistent with the business of
a merchant to take an active part in public affairs, but on the other hand
regarded it a duty to do so Hence always acting in concert with the Democracy,
he was selected Chairman of the democratic Parish Committee on its first
reorganization after the war. Cooperating with the State Executive Committee the
way was prepared for returning the State and City to the representatives of the
people, the latter at least having been for more than four years wholly under
Military rulers.
On the reorganization of the City Government, he was appointed by Governor
Wells a member of the Police Board, presided over by the newly selected Mayor,
John T. Monroe. He served in this capacity until removed by General Sheridan
under the Reconstruction act. Under the Supplemental Reconstruction Act of
Congress an election was held for municipal officers on the 17th and 18th of
April 1868. Mr. Conway having received the Democratic nomination for Mayor of
New Orleans was elected by seven hundred majority.
Mr. Conway being the first Mayor elected by the people since the occupation of
the city by the Federal authorities, necessarily found the affairs of the city
in a complicated condition, and his administration of the city government was
unavoidably attended by serious difficulties. The finances were in a deplorable
condition and the credit of the city at a very low ebb. But with the
substitution of the civil for military law, confidence was restored and
gradually city securities improved in value, and fair promise was held out that
the financial status of New Orleans would again reach that eminent standard it
enjoyed before the war."

INFORMATION SOURCE: Graves, Find A Grave member