Assuming this is the same Conley, I wonder if he was still president of the Society when the Zion's Watch Tower review appeared in 1884(?). Perhaps Russell reluctantly agreed to review it and promote it with reservations. Peters has countless references to Barbour and Russell, agreeing on some points and disagreeing with others. So Peters was acquainted with Russell, and if this is the same Conley, Conley knew Peters, and Conley knew Russell of course. Peters' volumes show that Russell had points of contact with premillenial, dispensationalist views, but Peters disagreed that Jesus was present since 1874.
Steve