Biography of Patrick O’Brien

Patrick O’Brien was born in county Galway, Ireland, March 11, 1832, died August 14, 1908, in the town of Manchester, New York. He came to this country when a young man, landing at Castle Garden, New York, and came after a short time to Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, where he found employment. Being blessed with a happy disposition and abundant good nature, he made many friends. Industrious, frugal and honest, he made his way and prospered. He became the owner of a good farm, which he conducted the remainder of his life. He was an upright, earnest citizen, a staunch Democrat in politics, and a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church. He was married, February 11, 1858, at Geneva, New York, by Rev. Father O’Connor, to Anne McGrath, who was also born in county Galway, Ireland, and who died in the town of Manchester, New York, February 4, 1906, aged seventy-two years. Children: Daniel R., mentioned elsewhere; John J., born December 23, 1861; Mary A., November 28, 1863, married Thomas Fitzgerald, of Hopewell, November 28, 1888, and died January 28, 1890; Patrick W., November 17, 1865; Julia, December 22, 1868, died December 23, 1888; Francis, July 9, 1872; Martin E., July 5, 1876.

Daniel R., son of Patrick O’Brien, was born at Hopewell, February 5, 1859, and was educated there in the public schools. He has followed farming for an occupation. In 1888 he bought the Knapp farm, now (1910) known as the Orchard Grove Farm, which is nicely located in the town of Hopewell, a mile and a half southeast of Shortsville village, and one of the best cultivated and most productive fruit and grain farms in Ontario county. He is a progressive and up-to-date farmer, and energetic and industrious. His barns and other farm buildings are models in construction and of tasteful design. The house was built in 1824, but has a modern appearance and is cosy and homelike. Mr. O’Brien is generous, open-hearted and charitable, and commands the esteem of the entire community. He is a member of St. Dominick Roman Catholic church. He is a member of K. O. T. M., Tent No. 119, and C. M. B. A., No. 142. In politics he is a Democrat. He married, February 27. 1889, Anna McMahon, of Victor, Ontario county, a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Marrinan) McMahon. Children: Margaret A., born September 5, 1890; John Emmett, September 6, 1891, graduate of Shortsville high school with honor, June 21, 1910; Walter P., June 17, 1893; Francis M., September 9, 1897, died October 30, 1905. Mrs. Anna (McMahon) O’Brien was educated at Victor, Ontario county, and at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York, and for several years before her marrige was a successful school teacher.

The parents of Mrs. O’Brien were natives of county Clare, Ireland. Her father, Michael McMahon, was born September 20, 1834. Her mother, Margaret (Marrinan) McMahon, was born April 1. 1834. They were playmates and schoolmates in Ireland. Mr. McMahon came to America when fifteen years of age (1849), landing in Charlotte, New York, after a voyage of seven weeks. He found employment with different families, who were all very kind to him, he having no friend or relatives other than his brother and three sisters, who came over with him, and the lot of this boy was by no means an easy one. However, he was industrious and honest, and by diligence was soon able to accumulate money, and after a few years he was enabled to buy a small farm in Victor. His old playmate came to America in the early fifties, and on February 5. 1855, they were married, and lived to celebrate their golden wedding in 1905. Mrs. McMahon died October 24, 1908. Children Ella, who married Owen Murphy, February 22, 1881, died August 3, 1884, leaving two children, William and Francis; Anna, who became Mrs. O’Brien; Margaret C., wife of William Murray, of Victor, three children, Loretta, Leo and Vincent; Julia, married John J. Lynaugh, eight children: Margaret, Henry, Helen, Howard, Beatrice, John F., George and Paul J. In religion the family are members of the Roman Catholic church.