Arrived in Brainerd in 1883.

James W. O'Brien married Agnes McCarthy on June 30, 1908 in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.

   "Jay" O'Brien Dies Here This Afternoon

      Death claimed Jay O'Brien, one of Brainerd's respected citizens, this afternoon.
      He passed away here after having been brought from Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

      Last Rites Held Sat. For Jay O'Brien

      Jay [James] W. O'Brien, President of the O'Brien Mercantile Company, passed away Wednesday, November 22 at 2:45 P. M. in St. Joseph's hospital, shortly after his arrival from Northwestern hospital, Minneapolis, where he has been confined for four weeks. His death was a distinct shock to his many friends.
      "Jay" was born in Stillwater, and came to Brainerd with his parents at an early age. He attended Brainerd grade schools, and then St. John's College, Collegeville, where he graduated. He returned to Brainerd, and since that time has been engaged in business with his father and brothers. After the death of his father, Con O'Brien, twelve years ago, he was elected president of the O'Brien Mercantile Company, in which position he served until his death.
      Mr. O'Brien was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Brainerd Civic association and had taken an active part in the promotion of same, and will be genuinely missed by his many friends and business associates.
      The funeral was held Saturday, November 25, at St. Francis Catholic church, where a requiem high mass was sung. Rev. Father Smith was the celebrant. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery. Pallbearers were Lloyd Finne, Earl Koop, Gregory Mraz, Mr. Sands, Mr. Donneldinger [sic], Mr. Padget.
      He is survived by his wife, Agnes McCarthy O'Brien, his mother, Mrs. Con O'Brien, five sisters and four brothers.
      Out-of-town friends and relatives attending funeral services were: Ed Tom O'Brien, Red Cross worker, stationed at Camp Hood, Tex.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilder, Grace Wilder, Mrs. Ed Lorence of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fahey of St. Paul; Mrs. George O'Bryan, St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ariens and son, Tom of Bullion, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilson, Sister Kathleen O'Brien of Duluth; Edward Bedina of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Siehl of St. Paul; the Misses Janet Smith and Peggy O'Brien of Duluth; and George O'Brien, Jr., of St. John's college, Collegeville; Mr. and Mrs. John Henry, Hibbing; Mrs. Katherine Roberts, Detroit Lakes; Bernard McGivern of Little Falls, and Frank McGivern, Staples.
      Under Jay's management the O'Brien Mercantile company's store was enlarged double its size and many of the modern improvements were installed.
      He was considered a shrewd buyer and a fine taste in merchandise.
      His five sisters are: Mrs. Mabel Smith, and Mrs. John Chalberg of Brainerd, Mrs. R. L. Siehl of St. Paul, and Mrs. Ted Ryan of Hutchison, Kansas and Sister Kathleen, O.S.B., of Duluth.
      His four brothers living are: Neil, George, Earl and Ed Tom all of Brainerd, except Ed Tom of Camp Hood, Texas. He had two brothers deceased Ezra and Giles. Ezra died about nineteen years ago and Giles died in the fall of 1943. (Brainerd Tribune, Thursday, 30 November 1944, p. 1, c. 1-2)

Arrived in Brainerd in 1883.

James W. O'Brien married Agnes McCarthy on June 30, 1908 in Crow Wing County, Minnesota.

   "Jay" O'Brien Dies Here This Afternoon

      Death claimed Jay O'Brien, one of Brainerd's respected citizens, this afternoon.
      He passed away here after having been brought from Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

      Last Rites Held Sat. For Jay O'Brien

      Jay [James] W. O'Brien, President of the O'Brien Mercantile Company, passed away Wednesday, November 22 at 2:45 P. M. in St. Joseph's hospital, shortly after his arrival from Northwestern hospital, Minneapolis, where he has been confined for four weeks. His death was a distinct shock to his many friends.
      "Jay" was born in Stillwater, and came to Brainerd with his parents at an early age. He attended Brainerd grade schools, and then St. John's College, Collegeville, where he graduated. He returned to Brainerd, and since that time has been engaged in business with his father and brothers. After the death of his father, Con O'Brien, twelve years ago, he was elected president of the O'Brien Mercantile Company, in which position he served until his death.
      Mr. O'Brien was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Brainerd Civic association and had taken an active part in the promotion of same, and will be genuinely missed by his many friends and business associates.
      The funeral was held Saturday, November 25, at St. Francis Catholic church, where a requiem high mass was sung. Rev. Father Smith was the celebrant. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery. Pallbearers were Lloyd Finne, Earl Koop, Gregory Mraz, Mr. Sands, Mr. Donneldinger [sic], Mr. Padget.
      He is survived by his wife, Agnes McCarthy O'Brien, his mother, Mrs. Con O'Brien, five sisters and four brothers.
      Out-of-town friends and relatives attending funeral services were: Ed Tom O'Brien, Red Cross worker, stationed at Camp Hood, Tex.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilder, Grace Wilder, Mrs. Ed Lorence of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fahey of St. Paul; Mrs. George O'Bryan, St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ariens and son, Tom of Bullion, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilson, Sister Kathleen O'Brien of Duluth; Edward Bedina of Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Siehl of St. Paul; the Misses Janet Smith and Peggy O'Brien of Duluth; and George O'Brien, Jr., of St. John's college, Collegeville; Mr. and Mrs. John Henry, Hibbing; Mrs. Katherine Roberts, Detroit Lakes; Bernard McGivern of Little Falls, and Frank McGivern, Staples.
      Under Jay's management the O'Brien Mercantile company's store was enlarged double its size and many of the modern improvements were installed.
      He was considered a shrewd buyer and a fine taste in merchandise.
      His five sisters are: Mrs. Mabel Smith, and Mrs. John Chalberg of Brainerd, Mrs. R. L. Siehl of St. Paul, and Mrs. Ted Ryan of Hutchison, Kansas and Sister Kathleen, O.S.B., of Duluth.
      His four brothers living are: Neil, George, Earl and Ed Tom all of Brainerd, except Ed Tom of Camp Hood, Texas. He had two brothers deceased Ezra and Giles. Ezra died about nineteen years ago and Giles died in the fall of 1943. (Brainerd Tribune, Thursday, 30 November 1944, p. 1, c. 1-2)