Contributed to the Pierce County WIGenWeb Project by Nance Sampson nsampson@spacestar.net
@2000 by Nance Sampson

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Submitted by Debbie Barrett June 13, 2001
mrsgrinnin@home.com

JAMES O'BRIEN, farmer, P. O. Maiden Rock, was born in county Kildare, Ireland,
February 1, 1829.  He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and
at eighteen came with his parents to Huron county, Canada, where they engaged
in farming.  He was united in marriage April 14, 1856, with Miss Mary Ann,
daughter of William and Caroline (Smith) Jaques.  William Jaques was of
English descent and was a sergeant in the Sixty-third regiment, British 
light infantry.  The Smith family were Irish.  Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have
been blessed with twelve children (six now living): William Thomas, Robert
Henry, Maggie, Caroline J. (Mrs. W. Harbasan), Harriet E. (Mrs. H. Kaye), 
Willie, George William and Ann Eliza (twins), James H., Mary Ann, John C.
and Susanna M. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien came
west and stopped at Pepin, Wis.  Mr. O'Brien began exploring the country to
the northward, and soon selected 160 acres of wild land in Maiden Rock
township, Pierce county, and built a log house, which is still standing
on the premises.  Few brides of the present day would wish to be introduced
to a home like this, in the midst of an unbroken wilderness, abounding in
wild beasts and bands of roving savages, but Mrs. O'Brien set to work with
a will to assist her husband in building a home, and all who visit their 
present residence may bear witness to the success of their undertaking.  
Neighbors soon began to settle near them, the earth repaid their labors with
abundant crops, the Indians, though often annoying, were never actually
hostile, and after receiving one or two practical lessons in manners from
Mr. O'Brien, ceased to be a source of anxiety.  On the whole, the outlook
became rapidly brighter, and with the exception of sickness, the family 
continued to prosper.  He has since increased his farm until he now has
270 acres.  In 1883 their dwelling burned down with most of its contents, 
and the present residence took its place.  Mr. O'Brien makes a specialty of
breeding horses.  Politically he is a firm believer in the principles of 
the democratic party, but has always declined holding office.  He is a 
member of the Episcopal church and a highly repected citizen.

--Taken from the "Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley
Wisconsin Including A General Historical Sketch of the Chippewa Valley;
Ancestral Records fo Leading Families; Biographies of Representative Citizens,
Past and Present; and Portraits of Prominent Men.  Edited by George Forrester.
Published in Chicago, Illinois by A. Warner. Publisher. 1891-2. Page 572