Biography of 	O'BRIEN, Matthew J., County Limerick, IRE., then Orleans Parish, LA
Submitted by 	Mike Miller November 1998

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Matthew J. O'Brien.  United States inspector of steam vessels at New
Orleans, is one of the best known men in that city, and his recognized
integrity makes him a man to be trusted in whatever capacity he may 
chance to act.  Captain O'Brien was born in Limerick county, Ireland, 
in January, 1837.  He came to America in 1843 and located in Alabama 
until 1848.  By trade he is a machinist and engineer and his 
proficiency in these callings renders him an efficient official in the 
responsible government position to which he has been appointed.  At the 
opening of the Civil war he entered the confederate navy, serving first 
on the confederate man-of-war the "Sumter."  He was afterward made 
second assistant engineer on the "Alabama" and still later was made 
chief engineer on the "Shenandoah."  After the surrender of the 
"Shenandoah" in Liverpool, England, in 1865, he returned home and soon 
afterward accepted the position of chief and assistant superintending 
engineer of the Morgan & Southern Pacific steamship and railroad 
company.  He served in this position until 1885, when he was appointed 
to the position which he has since filled with such signal ability.  He 
was married to Miss Mary Clary and they are the parents of three living 
children.  He and his family are members of the Catholic church.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 288.
Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.