Representative John Edmund O’Brien View All Years

Memorial to the Honorable John Edmund O’Brien of Allamakee County

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable John Edmund O’Brien, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

John Edmund O’Brien was born in Oneida County, New York. He was one of nine children of Michael Smith O’Brien and Henrietta Alice O’Brien. He came to Allamakee County with his parents in September, 1870. He drove ox teams and worked on farms until 1884, when he went to northwestern Iowa and South Dakota and herded cattle. In 1891 and 1892 he worked as a carpenter at Sanborn, Rock Rapids and Sioux Falls. He also worked as a carpenter and builder in Birmingham, Alabama, and Jackson, Mississippi.

In 1892 and 1893 he helped install exhibits at the exposition in Chicago and in May, 1893, he was appointed as one of the Columbian Guards at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago. At the close of the exposition he went to California. He put up Canadian exhibits at the Midwinter Exposition in Golden Gate Park in the winter of 1893 and 1894. In 1894 he returned to Waukon, Iowa, following the trade of contractor and builder until 1898.

Mr. O’Brien was a member of “I” Company, 49th Iowa National Guard for several years. A few days after war with Spain was declared he went to Pensacola, Florida, and enlisted May 5, 1898, in the regular United States Navy for one year as first class petty officer. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war with Spain. He then returned to Waukon.

He was admitted to the bar in 1899 and in connection with the practice of law, engaged extensively in real estate business and was interested in stock ranches and farms in North Dakota and Iowa.

He was elected Representative from Allamakee County and served in the Forty-third session of the General Assembly. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Bayard Lodge, No. 121, Waukon.

In 1902 Mr. O’Brien was married to Miss Decorah Grattan at Medford, Oklahoma, and to this union two sons were born, Henry Grattan O’Brien and John Gordon O’Brien, now a Lieutenant Colonel in Hawaii.

Mr. O’Brien passed away July, 1947. He is survived by his sons, his wife having preceded him in death.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty-fourth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable John Edmund O’Brien, the state has lost a valued and honored citizen, and the House would tender its sincere sympathy to the surviving members of his family in their sorrow.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

ELMER PIEPER,

J. C. DAVIS,

C. M. LANGLAND,

ARCH W. MCFARLANE,

Committee.