Obrien  
 
 

Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin Counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     HON. CORNELIUS S. O'BRIEN is at present the efficient treasurer of Franklin county.  He has held various offices in this county and has always showed himself capable and trustworthy and is among the leading citizens.  Mr. O'Brien has also a fine wheat farm on the Snake river, which is leased.  He is a prosperous and progressive man and has shown himself a thorough and worthy business man.
     Cornelius S. O'Brien was born in McHenry county, Illinois, on September 21, 1860, being the son of William and Hannah (Sweeney) O'Brien, both still living in Harvard, Illinois.  They were born in New York and the father followed merchandising during his active life.  Cornelius was educated in the common schools and at St. Mary's college at St. Mary's, Kansas, where he completed a thorough commercial course.  Five years were spent in the Chicago and Northwestern railroad as clerk at Harvard, Illinois.  In 1887, he came to Tacoma and took a position as shipping clerk for the Tacoma Lumber Company for five years.  After that, he was one year in the Pierce county auditor's office and in 1894, he came to Pasco and two years later was elected auditor of Franklin county.  For two terms he served in that capacity and then was elected representative to the state legislature.  He served with distinction and credit to himself.  Upon his retirement from that position, he returned to Pasco and was selected as county treasurer, in which office he is at the present time.
     Mr. O'Brien is a member of the Elks and the K. P. and is a genial, active and capable man.  On December 20, 1898, Mr. O'Brien married Miss Jessie French, the wedding occurring at Spokane.  They have many friends here and are leading members of society.
 


 
 
 

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