Connolly was born in Geraldine in 1875 and educated at Hilton School. He was a farmer. In 1902 Connolly purchased the Raukapuka Estate, which he sold in 1919. He then acquired the Langley Estate at Rakaia.
During World War I Connolly was a member of the National Efficiency Board (1917–18) and of various patriotic societies.[1]
^A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, edited by G.H. Scholefield, Volume 1 page 172, 1940, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.
^See Wilson (Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC154283103.). But Wood (Wood, G. Anthony, ed. (1996). Ministers and Members: In the New Zealand Parliament. Dunedin: Otago University Press. p. 88.) described Connolly as a 'Liberal', and Dick Habershon (Habershon, Richard G. (1958), A Study in Politics: 1928-31 [M.A. - University of Auckland] [Appendix p.xx]) noted him as United in 1928; and as a 'Liberal Coalitionist' in 1931.