DANIEL DOYLE O’BRIEN – Sharing a successful practice in law in Northampton, and established in its increasing activities upon his own well-founded effort’, and ability, Mr. O’Brien is a member of that enterprising group of men in the professions and in business in this city who join their interests for the general civic welfare, and the promotion of all well-directed movement that indicates progress for the community.
Gifted as a pleader in the courts, and possessing a thorough and very practical knowledge of all branches of the law, he is one of the leading men of the city who in their practice have followed their high estimate of the precepts of the profession. He is of a hardy stock who have done much in the course of their trades to build and to beautify the Northampton of the present day. His grandfather, Michael O’Brien, son of John and Ellen (Doyle) O’Brien, was born in 1815, in County Kerry, Ireland, and died October 27, 1895, in Holyoke. Coming to the United States in 1854, and settling in Massachusetts, he worked for a time on the State Hospital at Northampton; and later locating at Holyoke, he shared in the building of the dam. He at first lived on Cross Street, later building a house on Race Street, where he resided to the time of his death. He was employed in gardening in the later years of his activity, but for five years prior to his death he was an invalid. He married, in Ireland, Nora Gallavan, who was born in 1814, in County Kerry, and died December 24, 1891, in Holyoke, daughter of Jeremiah and Helen (Cummings) Gallavan. Their children, all born in Ireland: Hannah, who married Jeremiah Brennan; John, of whom further; Mary, who married John Sullivan. The two elder children, Hannah and John came to the United States with their father, while Mary and Margaret came two years later, with their mother.
John O’Brien, son of Michael and Nora (Gallavan) O’Brien, was born in 1842, in County Kerry, Ireland, and died January 1, 1911, in Northampton. Coming to the United States with his father in 1854, he attended the schools of Northampton, and he spent the larger part of his life in that city. For many years he had charge of the estate of judge William G. Sterling; he was a reliable, trustworthy man, and from time to time had the oversight of different properties in the community. He married Mary Doyle, who was born in 1842, in County Kerry, Ireland, and died July 23, 1918, in Northampton, daughter of Daniel and Ellen Doyle. Their children: Nora; Helen, who married Michael Doyle; Annie, John, Margaret, Daniel D., of whom further; Grace, who married Edward Hines, of Bridgeport, Connecticut
Daniel Doyle O’Brien son of John and Mary (Doyle) O’Brien, was born February 21, 1884 in Northampton, where he attended the public and high schools. He matriculated at Holy Cross College, at Worcester, where he graduated with the class of 1903, and with his degree of Bachelor of Arts. He prepared for his profession in the Law School of Columbia University, where he graduated in 1909, with his degree of Doctor of Laws. He was admitted to both the Massachusetts and the New York bars, and after practicing in New York City for a short time he established offices in Northampton, where he still continues. He is a Past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus; and a member of the Foresters of America.
Daniel D. O’Brien married, January 26, 1917. Helen Walsh, of Williamsburg, daughter of Henry and Mary (Dwyer) Walsh; and they are the parents of: John Walsh born November 12, 1918; Maureen Doyle, born September 8, 1920; Aileen Dorothy, born March 18, 1922.