Los Angeles County
Biographies
JAMES FRANCIS O’BRIEN
O’BRIEN, JAMES FRANCIS, Capitalist and Inventor, Los Angeles, California, was born in Black Creek, Wisconsin, March 18, 1875. He is the son of James O’Brien and Elizabeth (Haase) O’Brien. He married Williamina de Grant Barclay in Los Angeles, October 25, 1911. Mrs. O’Brien is the youngest daughter of James Barclay, member of the historically famous family, the Barclays, of Urie, Scotland.
Mr. O’Brien received his primary education in the public schools of his native town, but when he was only a child began the study of telegraphy and at the age of eight was a competent operator, enjoying the distinction of being the youngest telegrapher in the United States. At the age of nine he was in charge of the Black Creek railroad station. Moving with his parents to Wausau, Wisconsin, he worked nights as telegrapher while attending High School.
His first position was with the Green Bay and Western Railroad. After completing his studies at Wausau, he entered the employ of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad at Wausau, Wisconsin, as Ticket Agent and Telegraph Operator and in time was made Train Dispatcher. From there on he served in various responsible positions both in the Traffic and Operating Departments of the railroad, his abilities securing rapid promotion for him. He later, in connection with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, worked for the Pere Marquette and Ann Arbor Railroads in the systematizing and development of the “Car Ferry” business across Lake Michigan in connection with these three systems; and for six years, from 1899 to 1905, was manager for these roads, jointly, at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. During the years 1905 and 1906 he was Assistant to the General Manager of the Chicago and Northwestern on lines west of the Missouri River and Omaha, but left them, after twenty years of service, upon completion of the Wyoming and Northwestern, a subsidiary company.
During Mr. O’Brien’s railroad career he took up the study of law, chemistry and mechanics, and in 1906 gave up the railroad business to attend to his own affairs, having perfected several inventions during his connection with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. His principal invention is “Utahnite,” a blasting powder for which Mr. O’Brien discovered and patented the “Cold Process,” chemical formula, and also perfected the non-confined, frictionless mechanical means used in the manufacture of “Utahnite.” After patenting this process he formed the Utahnite Safety Powder Company (parent company), of which he is President, and since 1907 he has devoted the major portion of his time to its development and production, in the many “Utahnite” plants located at various points, and supplying the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Utahnite,” in the opinion of experts, is destined to play an important part in the future of mining and other industries. It is held to be more powerful than dynamite or nitro-glycerine powders, while it lacks the dangerous qualities of these explosives. When he invented it, Mr. O’Brien had in mind an ambition to perfect a safe mechanical means for its manufacture, as well as the production of a safety blasting powder, thereby rendering work in the mines and other places less hazardous to the workmen and thus reduce the number of fatalities recorded yearly in this particular line of work; at the same time making for economy and commercial stability in the manufacture of powder as a business. The result was the production of the remarkably simple, safe “Utahnite” machinery and of a powder substance which, while it possesses tremendous blasting power, also reduces danger to a minimum and lacks the objectionable gases, flame, smoke, and deteriorating characteristics of other explosives. Mr. O’Brien also has adapted his invention to other lines of industry, agriculture and quarrying, and by its use is becoming one of the leading factors in modern development work in the Western States and other sections of the country.
“Utahnite,” however, is not the only invention which bears Mr. O’Brien’s name. Among others is the “Publiciscope,” a device which has had an important and revolutionary effect upon advertising. Another of his productions is a patented device, a combined gas and steam generator, designed for economizing on fuel and reducing the first cost of power plants. These, like “Utahnite,” have found a place in their respective fields and are in practical use today in all parts of the United States.
Mr. O’Brien is also heavily interested in the West Coast Development Company of Bandon, Coos County, Oregon, which company has large holdings of timber and mineral lands and owns the terminals at Bandon and other Coast points in Oregon, from which points the West Coast Development Company has recently completed the promotion of the Bandon & Eastern Railroad Co., a railroad over 200 miles in length—from Port Orford to Bandon and thence to Grant’s Pass—connecting with the Southern Pacific Railway at the latter point. The construction of this road is now under way; having been financed by Eastern and English capital.
Mr. O’Brien is also President and General Manager of the American Steel & Drill Company, manufacturing a leading, automatic ai (sic) rand water feed, piston drill and patented hollow-rolled steel.
In addition to his railroad and manufacturing interests, Mr. O’Brien is heavily interested in irrigation projects in various Western States and is taking an active part in land development. With others he is engaged in the rehabilitation of South Antelope Valley, California, through large irrigation projects, being a Director in the Palmdale Land Company and the Palmdale Water Company. He has joined the ranks of practical men who are building up that part of the country and is one of the enthusiastic workers for the betterment of Los Angeles and vicinity. He has invested largely in Los Angeles real estate, and has made his home there since his arrival in 1907. He is also an active member of the American Railway Association, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce; the Chamber of Mines and Oil, the Sierra Madre Club, B. P. O. Elks, and the Y. M. C. A. of Los Angeles.
While he has never taken any active part in politics or sought public office, Mr. O’Brien is aligned with the Progressive element of the Republican party and has done considerable to advance its doctrines.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 553,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2010 Joyce
Rugeroni.
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