My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS O’BRIEN, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Arrowsmith; the subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, April 28, 1831; lived with his parents, in Ireland, until 17 years of age, when he hired to J. Cull, a stockman, to drive fat cattle to market and fairs, looking after them while there; came to this country at the age of 21 years; came first to New York, stayed one year, then came to McLean Co. — farmed three years. Was then married to Mary Smith, April 28, 1856; she was born in Ireland, March 25, 1839. The fruit of this marriage is eleven children, of whom six are living, five dead — Lawrence, Thomas, John, Peter, James E. and Hugh; deceased — John died in 1853; Anna died in 1853, and one infant; Rosanna died in 1868, and Thomas in 1868. Mr. O’Brien owns seventy-seven acres of excellent farming land under good cultivation. He has held the office of School Director three years, which office he still holds. He had a brother killed in the late war. Mrs. O’Brien had a brother wounded in the battle of Prairie Grove, in Arkansas.