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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