Thomas W. OBrien

  Noted events in his life were:

• Birth: Various sources, Jan 1850, Coolroe, Carlow, Ireland. Census information indicated he was born in January 1851. His headstone has 1853. His obituary states he came to the United States at the age of nine. The 1865 New York State Census lists his age as 15, making his birth year 1850, which is consistent with baptism record in County Carlow, Ireland.

See Family History, Researching my mother's Irish Roots for a detailed discussion on his baptism record.

• Baptism: From Roots Ireland org, 13 Jan 1850, Clonegal, Carlow, Ireland. Name: Thomas Bryan
Date of Birth:
Date of Baptism: 13-Jan-1850
Address: Coolroe
Parish/District: CLONEGAL
Gender:
County Co. Carlow
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Father: William Bryan
Mother: Anne Kelly
Occupation: Sponsor 1 /Informant 1: John MacDonald
Sponsor 2 /Informant 2: Bridget MacDonald
Notes: [E][FATHERS NAME WM]

• Immigration: From census records, 1860. 1860 in 1900 Census
1875 in 1910 Census

It is assumed that the 1860 date is correct because of family lore that Thomas told a story about seeing Abraham Lincoln on the train on his way to his inauguration.

• Residence: From New York State Census, 1865, Dunkirk, Chautauqua, New York. Thomas O'Bryan
New York State Census, 1865
Name Thomas O'Bryan
Event Type Census
Event Year 1865
Event Place District 02, Dunkirk, Chautauqua, New York, United States
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Son
Birth Year (Estimated) 1850
Page 35

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Ann O'Bryan Mother F 32
Mary O'Bryan Daughter F 17
Thomas O'Bryan Son M 15

• Occupation: From City Directory, page 194, 1871, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, Erie City Iron Works, resides Holland between 12th and 13th.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 81, 1872, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, home Holland between 12th and 13th.

• Letter: From John OBrien to Thomas OBrien, 19 Nov 1873, Dunkirk, Chautauqua, New York. Dunkirk Nov 19, 1873

Dear Brother

I have received your letter of yesterday and in reply I will say that I would advise you not to enter the Service of the Government under any consideration. You may be sure that the business of the country will soon start up again more prosperous than ever. And you ought to content yourself for a few months. You have worked along time and it wont harm you to stay at rest for a few months. You may and ought to be well contented long as you have plenty of money to pay your expenses. It is my wish that after the times again become little better that you and I may start in business that will pay us and have an easier living. Ellen said you were thinking of going to drafting school. I think it would do you good if you would. If you don't I think the best thing for you to do is to come down and bring your clothes and board with Ellen for a few months. It will be cheaper for you. Your board and washing will cost you less.

Let me know how Mary is getting along when you answer this letter. Also Ann Hughes and have you seen her since you went back? If you don't come down I will go up there soon.

Do not go in the Navy because any once goes in the service never can do anything else. And you don't know what part of the world you would have to go to. Let me hear from you on receipt of this.

Your loving brother

John

Notes: Ellen and Mary are sisters of John and Thomas. It is believed that Thomas was in Erie, Pennsylvania at the time this letter was written. Their sister, Ellen OBrien Carroll, also lived in Dunkirk. If Thomas did what his brother, John, suggested, he most likely met Margaret OConnell then. According to family history, as told by Mary Elizabeth Lynch Gray, Margaret was working as a maid in Dunkirk and knew John OBrien before she met Thomas.

• Letter: Page 2.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 137, 1875, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, home corner of 9th and German\

Note: this may be for the other Thomas OBrien as his son, Charles, was born in Bay City, Michigan on 11 July 1875.

• Occupation: From City Directory page 182, 1877, Bay City, Bay, Michigan, USA. O'Brien, Thomas, machinist F & P M Ry, bds Charles E. Shumm.

According to Wikipedia, F & P M Ry stands for "the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad (F&PM) is a defunct railroad which operated in the U.S. state of Michigan between 1857 and 1899. It was one of the three companies which merged to become the Pere Marquette Railway."

Charles E Schumm is listed as a baggage master with residence on the south side of Third Street, two houses east from the conrner of Third and Van Buren.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 143, 1879, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, home east side German between 13th and 14th

• Naturalization, 3 Sep 1879, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. O'Brien, Thomas - b 1851; em 1860; Ire; cert 3 Sept 1879; res 2nd Ward, Erie; sp William Carroll (4788)

• Occupation: Machinist, 1880, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Thos O'Brien
United States Census, 1880
Name Thos O'Brien
Event Type Census
Event Date 1880
Event Place Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Gender Male
Age 27
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Occupation Machinist
Relationship to Head of Household Self
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Self
Birth Year (Estimated) 1853
Birthplace Ireland
Father's Birthplace Ireland
Mother's Birthplace Ireland
Sheet Letter B
Sheet Number 195
Person Number 0
Volume 1

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Thos O'Brien Self M 27 Ireland
Maggie O'Brien Wife F 26 Ireland
Charles O'Brien Son M 4 Pennsylvania, United States
Mary J O'Brien Daughter F 3 Pennsylvania, United States
Maria O'Brien Daughter F 1 Michigan, United States
Richard O'Connor Father-in-law M 49 Ireland
Hannah O'Connor Sister-in-law F 17 Ireland

• Residence: German Street, 1880, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. From 1880 Census

His age is given as 27.
Also listed with him are:

Maggie, age 26
Charles, age 4
Mary J., age 3
Maria, age 1

Richard O'Connor, Father-in -law, age 49
Hannah, Sister-in-law, age 17.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 143, 1881, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, home east side German between 13th and 14th

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 158, 1882, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, home 1317 German

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 166, 1885, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, home north side 5th between Wallace and Ash

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 240, 1886, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, 528 E 5th

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 162, 1887, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, 528 E 5th

• Occupation: Machinist, 1888, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. From Erie City Directory, worked at Jarecki Company

Jarecki Company advertisement in the directory:

Jarecki Manufacturing Company, Limited
Manufacturers of brass, malable and gray iron goods.
Office 149 E 9th Street
Works corner of 9th and Holland and 12th Street between Chestnut and Walnut

• Residence: 528 East Fifth Street, 1891, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. From Rosie O'Brien's death notice. This is probably incorrect as it is later given as 538 East Fifth Street in Thomas' obituary.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 210, 1893, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, 538 E 5th

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 307, 1895, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, 538 E 4th [5th]

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 253, 1896, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien, machinist, 538 E 5th

• Travel: The Erie Daily Times, Page 8, 3 Jan 1900, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Arrow Shots

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Brien of this city spent New Year's with Mrs. Ann O'Brien of Dunkirk.

• Occupation: Foreman, 1900, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. 1900 Census

• Residence: 538 East Fifth Street, from 1900 Census, First Ward, 1900, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Thomas Obrian
United States Census, 1900
Name Thomas Obrian
Event Type Census
Event Year 1900
Event Place Election District 4 Erie city Ward 1, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Gender Male
Age 49
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) W
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Years Married 26
Birth Date Jan 1851
Birthplace Ireland
Marriage Year (Estimated) 1874
Immigration Year 1860
Father's Birthplace Ireland
Mother's Birthplace Ireland

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Thomas Obrian Head M 49 Ireland
Margert Obrian Wife F 46 Ireland
Chales Obrian Son M 26 Pennsylvania
Mary J Obrian Daughter F 23 Pennsylvania
Marah Obrian Daughter F 20 Michigan
Anna Obrian Daughter F 19 Pennsylvania
Alace Obrian Daughter F 16 Pennsylvania
Nellie Obrian Daughter F 13 Pennsylvania

• Occupation: The Erie Daily Times, Page 1, 30 Jan 1901, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. The Funeral of Charles Jarecki

The active pall bearers were foremen of different branches of the extensive Jarecki shops, all intimate and trusted friends of the deceased. They were as follows: Thomas G. Morse, R. Conrader, Charles Stratton, Thomas O'Brien, William Sapper, and Wiliam Siedler.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 120, 1901, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas O'Brien, Machinist, h. 538 E 5th

• City Directory: Thomas O'Brien, Machinist, h. 538 E 5th, 1902, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Separate listings for his daughters Alice, Anna, Jennie A, Mary, and Nellie.

• Occupation: From City Directory, Page 542, 1906, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Thomas OBrien (Margaret), Foreman, home 538 E 5th

• Residence: From 1910 Census, 1910, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Thomas Obrien
United States Census, 1910
Name Thomas Obrien
Event Type Census
Event Date 1910
Event Place Erie Ward 1, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Gender Male
Age 58
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) White
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Birth Year (Estimated) 1852
Birthplace Ireland
Immigration Year 1859
Father's Birthplace Ireland
Mother's Birthplace Ireland
Sheet Letter B
Sheet Number 7

Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Thomas Obrien Head M 58 Ireland
Margaret Obrien Wife F 55 Ireland
Jennie Obrien Daughter F 33 Michigan
Anna Obrien Daughter F 29 Pennsylvania
Alice Obrien Daughter F 26 Pennsylvania
Nellie Obrien Daughter F 24 Pennsylvania

• Occupation: Member of top staff at Jareki Foundary, 1915, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania. Erie's History and Memorabilia
History of the City and County of Erie Pennsylvania

Jarecki Iron Foundry & The Mill Creek flood
August 15, 2018

• City Directory: Thomas W O'Brien (Margaret), Foreman, h. 538 E 5th, 1919, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania.

• Residence: From 1920 Census, 1920, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Thomas O Brien
United States Census, 1920
Name Thomas O Brien
Event Type Census
Event Date 1920
Event Place Erie Ward 1, Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Gender Male
Age 69
Marital Status Married
Race White
Race (Original) White
Can Read Yes
Can Write Yes
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Head
Birth Year (Estimated) 1851
Birthplace Ireland
Immigration Year 1860
Father's Birthplace Ireland
Mother's Birthplace Ireland
Sheet Letter A
Sheet Number 17
0"
Household
Role
Gender
Age
Birthplace
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Thomas O Brien Head M 69 Ireland
Margaret O Brien Wife F 67 Ireland
Alice O Brien Daughter F 28 Pennsylvania

• Occupation: From Obituary, 1929, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Jarecki Manufacturing Company for 55 years. He retired as an assistant superintendent of the plant in Erie.

• Obituary: Erie Public Libary Obits, 6 Mar 1929, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.

• Gravestone: Trinity Cemetery, 9 Mar 1929, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Section I

• Cemetery: Trinity Cemetery: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Section I

• Cemetery: Trinity Cemetery: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Family plot.

Section I

Thomas married Margaret (Maggie) OConnell, daughter of Richard OConnell and Johanna Kennedy, in 1874 in New York. (Margaret (Maggie) OConnell was born in Jun 1849 in County Cork, Ireland, christened on 1 Jul 1849 in Castlemagner, Cork, Ireland, died on 30 Nov 1944 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA and was buried on 4 Dec 1944 in Trinity Cemetary, Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage Banns: From 1900 Census, married 26 years, June 11, 1900.