Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-19

employers. MT. fiarklnS IS HldH ol tuS people, and in him their wants will most assuredly find ready champion. He is one of the state board of examiners of miners under State Mine Inspector Hill house.
 For Sheriff.
 Frank P. O'Brien, one of the best known and most popular citizens of Bir- mingham, was born in the city of Dub lin, Ireland, February 29, 1S44. His pa rents were Michael A. and Mary (Corco- ran) O'Brien, natives of Counties Clare and Mayo respectively.
 Mir O'Brien attended school from the age of 5 until 14 when he ran away from home, at which period he began to learn the profession of scenic and fresco painter under the celebrated artist, Pc ter Schmidt, who secured the second prize for merit at Washington for work in the capitol buildings. MT. O'Brien fol- lowed his trade until 1874, coming to Montgomery, Ala, in 1859 with MT. Schmidt, who had contracted to paint the scenic and fresco work of the Mont gomery theater. In January, 1S6l, he Joined the Independent Rifles and, with other young men, went to Pensacola with the Second Alabama regiment, re- turning in March of the same year and April 26, 1861, enlisted in the Montgomery True Blues, which company was assign ed to the Third Alabama infantry regi- ment, with Col Jones M Withers of Mo bile was first colonel and Tennent Lomax lieutenant colonel
 At the battle of Little Washington he was wounded and remained short time in the hospital returning to duty, con trary to the advice of the ward surgeon, pr. Clark After his return to his com mand until his capture at the second bat tie of Plymouth, N. C., December l2, 1904, he was assigned to scouting service, ana his companions on many hazardous ex-
 In1 To Fl G. M (Mortie) Williams, certify to the fact that no truer or brayer scout ever faced danger than he.
 After his capture Captain O'Brien was confined at Fortress Monroe and Point Lookout until paroled in February, 1865. Rejoining his regiment, he remained in service until the close of the war.
 Returning to the home of his adoption, Montgomery. Ala at the close of the war with nothing but a stout heart and that indomitable will which character izes every act of Frank O'Brien, he started out to fight the battle of life. How well he has succeeded his fellow citizens of Jefferson county know. He remained in business in Montgomery in November, 1871, when he came to Bir- mingham, then town of less than 400 inhabitants. Here he remained in ac- tive business until 1885; was one of the leading contractors and builders, em-
  terprises.
 Mir, O'Brien is one of the heroes who stood at his post during the terrible chol- era epidemic, nursing the sick and ale viating the wants of the needy, risking his own life, -Adhem-like, un- til stricken down by the dread disease, which nearly cost him his life. Captain O'Brien has erected some of the most substantial buildings in the city and county. The building known as O'Bri- ems opera house is the most substantial monument to his grit. energy and en- terprise. He erected this block at time wise men claimed he was either crazy or ten years ahead of his day. When the building was-erected the entire block on the opposite side of the present avenue was surrounded by an old-fashioned rail joined a number of friends and started the Daily Herald in September of the same year he was made president and general manager, and when the Age and Herald consolidated November g, 1888, he; was continued in the same position. His connection with journalism in Alabama is well and favorably known. His life long devotion to all that pertains to the welfare of Jefferson county and her peo- pie was emphasized on Saturday week, when his fellow citizens walked up to the polls and gave him large majority over seven of the best men of this or any other county.
 Captain O'Brien has served two terms as representative in the lower house of the legislature from this county. and in that, as in all other matters he takes in hand, he gave all his energy and brain power to further the interest of his con stituency-
 The democracy has in Captain O'Brien