Robert J. O'Brien (June 5, 1858 – May 9, 1948) was an American real estate developer, Ohio Senator, and philanthropist.

Biography

Robert J. O'Brien was born in New York City on June 5, 1858, to Robert O'Brien and Mary Dwyer, who had emigrated to the United States from Ireland six years earlier. O'Brien attended Manhattan College and then served as a law clerk to George P. Wetmore from 1873 to 1877.[1][2] In 1880, O'Brien moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to open a hotel, eventually owning several, in addition to residential dwellings, cafes, and saloons.[3][4][5] This is despite the fact that O'Brien stated he did not drink alcohol.[6] By 1888, he became active in local politics, running for alderman as a Democrat.[7]

By 1902, he was councilman for the Sixth Ward of Cincinnati, a position he would be re-elected to six times, twice without opposition.[1][8] This territory had over 250 saloons within it.[6] He was an advocate for a unified intercity railroad terminal for the city of Cincinnati, as the city had five different stations at the time, all prone to flooding.[9][10] He also recmmended the acquisition of the Cincinnati Zoo by the city government during a time of financial trouble for the zoo.[11]

In 1916, O'Brien won a seat in the Ohio Senate as a Republican representing Hamilton County, promising to "go up to Columbus to work for Cincinnati".[12][13] He was re-elected in 1918, and retired from politics in 1920.[1] Prohibition forced the closure of his saloon businesses, allowing O'Brien to travel the world in his retirement.[14]

O'Brien was also a major donor to many Cincinnati religious institutions, including to Good Samaritan Hospital and Saint Gregory Seminary.[3][15] He also was a spokesman for the well-beings of orphans in the city of Cincinnati, advocating for the reform of orphanage conditions and establishing a fund for the use of orphanages in Hamilton County.[3]

Robert J. O'Brien died on May 9, 1910, at the age of 89, at Good Samaritan Hospital. His requiem mass was said at St. Francis Xavier Church, and he was buried in his private mausoleum at New St. Joseph Cemetery.[3][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c The Book of Ohio : who is who in and from Ohio : a history of the development of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth : illustrating the growth of her resources, institutions, and industries. Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. Cincinnati : Queen City Pub. Co. 1910.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^ ""Talk of the Town"". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 16 January 1902.
  3. ^ a b c d "Death Takes Robert O'Brien; Made Fortune from Hotels; Spent Freely To Help Needy". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 10 May 1948. pp. 1, 2.
  4. ^ "Genial Bob". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 23 January 1899. p. 10.
  5. ^ "O'Brien Invests The Councilman and Saloonist Turns Attention to Real Estate". The Cincinnati Post. 8 January 1904. p. 5.
  6. ^ a b "Talk of the Town". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 2 March 1902. p. 6.
  7. ^ "City News". The Cincinnati Post. 12 March 1888. p. 4.
  8. ^ "Legislators and How They Are Affected By The Ward Changes". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 23 December 1902. p. 8.
  9. ^ Rose, Linda C.; Rose, Patrick; Yungblut, Gibson (October 1999). Cincinnati Union Terminal: The Design and Construction of an Art Deco Masterpiece. Cincinnati Railroad Club, Inc. ISBN 0-9676125-0-0.
  10. ^ "Council has Plan for the City to Build Depot". The Cincinnati Post. 15 November 1909. p. 2.
  11. ^ "Pride Should Compel Citizens To Purchase Zoo, Says R.J. O'Brien, Who Suggests Plan". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 31 January 1916. p. 5.
  12. ^ ""I Shall Do My Duty" Says Senator-Elect Robert J. O'Brien -- to Work For Cincinnati". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 8 November 1916. p. 13.
  13. ^ "It's O'Brien's Old Custom, Two Birthdays in a Row, Senator Hale at Age of 77". Cincinnati Enquirer. 5 June 1935. p. 12.
  14. ^ a b Segal, Alfred (10 May 1948). "O'Brien Dies, Body to Rest in Mausoleum". The Cincinnati Post. p. 24.
  15. ^ "Men and Matters". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 9, 1930. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_J._O%27Brien
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