O'BRIEN, William John 1895-1960

OBRIEN, MCCARTHY, MEEHAN, MENSCH, SMITH, CASEY

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 6/29/2011 at 12:42:34

W. J. O’BRIEN DIES AT 65 IN HOSPITAL

William John O’Brien, 65, retired night dispatcher at the Mason City Post Office, died Sunday at a Mason City hospital after a short illness. He had lived in Mason City 28 years and made his home at 243 5th SE.

Mr. O’Brien was born June 25, 1895 at Emmetsburg, son of William J. and Katie (Meehan) O’Brien. He was graduated from the high school at Whittemore and later attended Loras College, Dubuque, three years.

He served in World War I in the U.S. Calvary. Later he centered the life insurance business in Algona and then moved to Mason City in 1932, when he was employed by the Iowa State Relief Office.

After operating the O’Brien Grocery on Carolina SE for some time, he began his employment with the Mason City Post Office in 1943. He retired in August 1950.

Mr. O’Brien was married to Agnes McCarthy in 1919 at Emmetsburg.

Surviving are his wife, son, Marc O’Brien, Little Falls, Minn.; two daughters; Mrs. J. E. (Maureen) Mensch, Plymouth; and Mrs. W. C. (Janice) Smith, Prairie Village, Kan.; and 14 grandchildren.

A sister, Mrs. Charles (Helen) Casey, and a brother Harold O’Brien, both of Mason City, also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, a brother and a sister.

Mr. O’Brien was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic and Elks Lodge 375. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The Patterson-James Funeral Home is in charge.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Monday September 26, 1960