Santa Clara County
Biographies
MAURICE O'BRIEN
In losing from the business activity of San Jose an honored and successful merchant, the commercial citizenship gained the brains, energy and enterprise of two of the brightest young men of the community, Walter and Charles O'Brien taking up the work which their father put aside upon his retirement to private life. They are now the owners and managers of the extensive business which Maurice O'Brien established in this city many years ago, in its incipiency(sic) bearing only the promise of further success which accompanies an earnest and energetic effort and a perseverance which seldom fails of a reward. The strict business methods, conservative yet progressive, the keen foresight and unerring judgment of the elder man are still the order of the day since the sons have assumed entire control, for, in addition to an inheritance of these qualities their training has been thorough along these lines, and the business bids fair not only to continue in its present prosperous condition but to progress with the advancement which distinguishes the commercial activity of San Jose.
Born May 24, 1840, Maurice O'Brien was a son of Michael A. and Mary (Curran) O'Brien, who lived in Manhattanville-on-the-Hudson, then a suburb of New York City, but to-day incorporated in the same, being called One Hundred and Twenty-fifth street. He was reared to young manhood in his native locality learning the trade of a cigar maker as well as working at lathing in the construction of houses. When seventeen years old he came to California, in 1857 landing at San Francisco, where he entered the employ of Charles Mercer & Co., confectioners. For five years following his arrival in the west he remained with this company, after which he went to the mines of Idaho, remaining there for two seasons and enjoying a moderate degree of success. Preferring, however, the climate of California as well as the pursuit of his trade, he returned to San Francisco and worked at his trade until 1868. In that year he entered business for himself, locating on Market street where St. Joseph's Church now stands, later removing to the Ryland block, on First near San Fernando street. In 1879 he removed to the location now occupied by his sons, who succeeded to the business in 1903. When Mr. O'Brien first entered into business he had only his own energy and industry to foreshadow the success which might be his. With the desire to build up a trade which would be both permanent and profitable, he put upon the market a grade of confectionery that had no superior, and which brought him a large wholesale as well as retail trade. He was soon represented in all the adjoining towns of Santa Clara county as well as Alameda and San Mateo counties, the quality of his product as well as his honorable dealing bringing him many customers. As his capital increased he enlarged his business, and from the small beginning of a team or two driving through the country he employed regular representative salesmen. He also invested in property in Santa Clara county, and is considered one of the capitalists of San Jose.
The marriage of Mr. O'Brien occurred in California and united him with Margaret Byrne, a native of Savannah, Ga., and daughter of Thomas Byrne, who also came to California as a pioneer. He has two sons, William, of San Leandro, and Thomas of San Francisco. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien were born the following children: Walter; Charles, Nellie, a teacher in the Lowell School, of San Jose; Maurice, an electrical engineer of Cananea, Mexico; Edith, a teacher; Henry, a student; and two who died in infancy. Mr. O'Brien built the beautiful residence where he is enjoying with his family the harvest of his years of toil. He has also done considerable other building in the city, putting up his own store, etc. He has been very liberal in the past in all church matters as well as all movements calculated to advance the general welfare. Although a public spirited man in all avenues he has had no inclination to enjoy the honor of official position, though such has been offered him at various times, as his time and attention have been directed solely along the lines of his business. In fraternal relations he is identified with both the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, being a member of San Jose Lodge No. 34 of the former, and the San Jose Lodge No. 10 of the latter.
Walter O'Brien was born in San Jose in the year 1872, and has made this city his home throughout his entire life. He received his preliminary education in the common schools of the city, after which he attended Santa Clara College and graduated in course of time. In young manhood he married Grace Pearl, of San Jose, the ceremony which united them being performed in 1896. For two years he traveled for a San Francisco candy supply house, traveling on the Pacific coast. Previous to this he resided two years in Old Mexico, but on account of the severe climatic conditions, he came north and for one year resided in San Francisco, after which he traveled for the wholesale supply house, as stated. Trained to a business life from his earliest boyhood he was taken into the work upon leaving his studies, at that time assuming charge of the manufacturing department which he conducts to the present day.
Charles O'Brien is also a native of San Jose, where he was born October 1, 1880. Like his brother he also received a splendid education in the schools of the city, after which he took a course in a commercial college, preparatory to a business career. On leaving school he accepted the position of bookkeeper for the Standard Oil Company of San Jose, maintaining the same with efficiency until 1903, in which year he resigned, and with his brother Walter purchased his father's business, wholesale and retail confectionery. For some years this business has ranked among the first of its kind in this section of the country, the wholesale trade extending throughout the central coast counties and representing a large amount of business interests. Their retail store, which is located at No. 30 South First street, is one of the finest in the state, equipped in a most modern and elegant style with large and beautiful mirrors and cut-glassware, a most lavish expenditure in May, 1903, completing a remodeling which has made this establishment what it is. Their business is already extensive and lucrative, and through their manner of conducting it they are constantly winning a larger patronage and extending their influence. Both are very successful business men, as well as being very popular in social and fraternal relations in the community, Walter O'Brien acting as a member of the Board of Managers of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, while their names are enrolled as members of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Observatory Parlor, N.S.G.W. They also belong to the Merchants' Association, and politically adhere to the principles advocated in the platform of the Republican party.
Transcribed
1-13-16 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource:
History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 940-943. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R.
Pankey.