a man in the prime of life and, going about in a wheel chair, he meets with his old friends and discusses the questions and issues of the day, keeping in closer touch with the things of the present than many of much younger age.
Mr. O'Brien has always been deeply, actively and helpfully interested in public affairs and questions relative to the progress and improvement of his community. He was present at the organization and first election of Story county but lacked a few days of being old enough to vote. He was appointed by County Judge E. C. Evans as the first assessor of Story county and filled the position for a year. At the next election he was chosen school fund commissioner of the county and also served as constable for two terms, while for eight terms, or sixteen years, he filled the office of justice of the peace of Ames. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial, being based upon comprehensive knowledge of the law and the correct application of its principles. In May, 1864, he was admitted to the bar under District Judge J. C. McFarland, but has practiced only in the justice courts. His political support was originally given to the whig party until the organization of the republican party, when he supported John C. Fremont for the presidency and has since been a stalwart advocate of that party's principles. His first presidential vote was given Zachary Taylor, on which occasion he walked forty miles in order to exercise his right of franchise. That was a proud day in his life as it is to most young men casting their first vote. Mr. O'Brien not only served as justice of the peace but has also been notary public and pension attorney at Ames for many years, in which connection he has secured more than one hundred pensions for old soldiers. He has likewise conducted a real-estate and insurance office and has led a busy and useful life.
In 1864 Mr. O'Brien was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died on the 24th of May of that year. They were the parents of six children: Mary Ellen, now the wife of W. J. Zenor, of Ames; Samuel Webster, of Jefferson, Iowa ; Mrs. Naomi Ann Phillips, who is living in Lewiston, Montana; Nancy Alice, the wife of J. P. Jackson, of Sullivan county, Indiana; George W., of Ames; and Viola L., who became the wife of Charles H. Gidden and after his death married Fred Thomas, of Des Moines.
Twenty years after the death of his first wife Mr. O'Brien was married on the 24th of December, 1884, to Mrs. Sarah R. Hiestand, the widow of H. J. Hiestand and a daughter of Judge E. C. Evans. Mr. Hiestand was a brother of Mr. O'Brien's first wife and was one of the recruits that served under Mr. O'Brien in Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, during the Civil war. He died in the service of wounds received at Port Gibson. Mrs. O'Brien was born in Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, January 23, 1837, and with her parents came to Story county in October, 1852, since which time she has lived in this county. Her parents were Judge Evan C. and Elizabeth D. (Blankenship) Evans.