John Matthew O'Connell (August 10, 1872 – December 6, 1941) was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island. Born in Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island, O'Connell attended the public schools.He taught in the local schools 1892-1902.He was graduated from the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Dental College (now a branch of Temple University) in 1905 and commenced practice in Westerly, Rhode Island, the same year.During World War I he served for sixteen months with Headquarters Sanitary Train, Twelfth Division, and later as a major in the .He served as member of the State house of representatives 1929-1932.