William O'Brien History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894 MONTANA GENWEB ARCHIVES May be copied for non-profit purposes. William O'Brien, one of the enterprising businessmen of Sheridan, Montana, was born in Washington County, New York, January 20, 1856. He is of old Irish ancestry, his father being Michael O'Brien, a native of the Emerald Isle, who emigrated to the United States when a very young man, as early as 1830. Michael O'Brien settled in Washington County New York where he was subsequently married to Ellen Ryan, also a native iof Ireland. They purchased land in Washington County, where they were successfully engaged in farming and where they reared a family of three children. Mrs. O'Brien still resides at the old homestead, her husband having died in 1859. William O'Brien is now the only one left of the three. In 1877, on attaining his majority, he decided to seek his fortune in the far West and accordingly came overland to Montana, making the journey in company with two other young men. This was just after the Custer massacre. Many of the Indians were on the war path, and traveling through their country at that time was extremely hazardous, especially for small parties. They traveled in a wagon until they reached the Red Cloud Agency, when they purchased ponies which they rode the rest of the way. After several encounterswith the Indians and numerous hairbreadth escapes, they resched their destination safely. For two years Mr. O'Brien was employed at farm work, receiving his board and $40.00 per month. In 1881 he established himself in business in Sheridan, the little building he at first occupied being only 16 x 20 feet, but he met with prosperity from the start and in 1883 purchased his present property which he as since greatly improved, now having a good business place and enjoying the good will and patronage of the best people in the valley. He has built a good residence in Sheridan and in the course of his business career has invested in mines and mining. Mr. O'Brien returned to New York in 1879, and was married to Mary Dooley, one of his old schoolmates. They have three children: Anna M., born in New York, Mary E. and Leah Rosalie. Politically, Mr. O'Brien is a democrat. He was elected one of the first Aldermen of Sheridan and is now serving as one of its School Trustees. He is a member of the A.O.U. W. and is Past Master of the lodge at Sheridan. During the whole of his residence at this place he has taken a lively interest in all the affairs of the town, and has everbeen ready to aid in its growth and improvement. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format forprofit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express writtenpermission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.