COL. THOMAS O'BRIEN

        Col. Thomas O'BRIEN, one of the most progressive business men 
of the city of Wheeling, West Virgina, whose portrait is herewith 
shown, is president of the People's Bank of Wheeling, and is closely 
identified with many important industries of this section of the 
state.  He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1830.
	Colonel O'Brien came to American in 1851, and located in 
Wheeling, West Virginia, where he engaged in various humble and 
laborious capacities.  He finally obtained a position as laborer and 
clerk for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, which he held until 
the Civil War broke out.  He displayed his patriotism by assisting to 
raise the first company of Virginia volunteers for the Union army, 
and its services were tendered to the federal government for the 
defense of the national capitol.  He was made second lieutenant and 
after four months' service was honorably discharged.  Colonel O'Brien 
was given a clerkship in the postoffice at Wheeling and held that 
position until he voted for General McClellen, in 1864.  He next 
engaged in the real estate and stock brokerage business, in which he 
has since continued.  He was appointed surveyor of the port of 
Wheeling during Johnson's administration, and was later appointed 
colonel on Gov. John J. Jacob's staff, which position he occupied 
acceptably and well for a period of six years.  He was nominated and 
elected by the Democratic party as treasurer of West Virginia in 
1880, which responsible office he filled with credit to himself and 
his constituents until March 4, 1885.  Colonel O'Brien is a 
councilman for the third and fourth wards of Wheeling, and takes deep 
interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city.  He has 
been a director of the People's Bank of Wheeling since 1874, and 
served as vice-president until the resignation of Mr. Reed, deceased, 
as president, when he was elevated to that position.  Colonel O'Brien 
was a stockholder and director of the Belmont Nail Company and of the 
Natural Gas Company of West Virginia, and was also president of two 
building and loan associations.  He was one of the founders and 
original directors of the West Virginia China Company.  He is a 
member of the board of trade.
	Colonel O'Brien was united in marriage, in 1853, with Kate 
Gillespie, of Scotland, and of the 14 children born to them, eight 
are now living.
 
From "HISTORY OF WHEELING and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens."  Edited & Compiled by Hon. Gibson Lamb 
Cranmer.  Biographical Publishing, 1902; p. 357-358. 

(Laurie Birks Dean)