The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-09-16
A RESPECTED IRISH-AMERICAN

A RESPECTED IRISH-AMERICAN
The Late Dillon O'Brlen, One Of Min
nesota's Pioneers.
The following sketch OF Dillon
O'Brien appears in recent issue OF the
Northwestern Chronicle, and we repro
duce it in these columns as tribute to
his memory:
Minnesota owes much to her pioneer
builders and first corners, and to none
more than to that lovable and estimable
gentleman, Dillon O'Brien, one OF the
best known OF the Catholic settlers OF
this state. He was one Of the foremost
Irish Americans OF two decades ago,
and by his beautiful life and Christian
character left an impress upon his times
and generation. Dillon O'Brien was
born at FILLMORE, Roscommon county,
ireland, on the 1st OF July, 1917. His
education was OF the best. He was I'M
der the instruction OF the most talented
private tutors, and later graduated from
the Jesuit college at Clongowcs. In 1889
he married Miss Elizabeth Kelly, who
still survives him, and in 1857, with his
wife and family, which at that time con-
sisted OF four children, came to this
country. After one years residence in
Michigan Mr.. O'Brien was given the
charge Of the government school at La
Pointc, Madeline Island, Lake Superior
1t is at this beautiful spot, full OF old
associations, that one OF Mr.. O'Bricn's
sons, Mr.. John Dillon O'Bricn, with
his family, still spends his summers
The government school was aftcrward
removed to the mainland, near Bayfield,,
where Mr. O'Bricn remained until 1863,
when he moved to St Anthony, and
shortly aiterward to ST. Paul, where he
lived until his dealt, OH Feb. IL, 1882
Mr.. O'Bricn was man OF rare and
charming qualities. Raised above ma
terial want in carly life by circumstan-
ccs, he had leisure in which to cultivate
his mind, and lie became a student and
a thinker. Yet case and luxury brought
neither encrvation nor lack OF sympathy.
He knew thoroughly the human heart,
and no man was quicker TO respond to
its needs and suffering than Dillon
O'Bricn. When loss OF fortune came
he met it with undauntcd courage and
bore it with Christian fortitudc. Mr..
O'Bricn graspcd, as if by intuition, the
broad spirit OF American life He rec
ognized with clcarncss the great posi-
bilities for the development OF this
Northwest, and with characteristic
hopciulncss and enthusiasm lent himself
to the work Of bringing his countrymcn
from the crowded sca-bound cities OF
the East to the spacious farm lands Of
the Northwest. He was one OF the first
to point out the mutual advantages to
the state and the settlers OF founding
homes here. Mr.. O'Bricn organized the
first Irish emigration society in the carly
sixties, and later joined Archbishop
ireland, then Father ireland, heart and
soul in his colonization scheme, which
aftcrward became such success. Thus
was begun friendship between Arch
bishop Ireland and Mr.. O'Bricn, which,
lasting until the day OF the latter's
death, was singularly strong and beaut-
full. 1t can be truly said that these two
remarkable men loved each other as
men seldom do; it was recognition OF
two minds absolutely congenial. When
the state instituted an emigration de-
partment Mr.. O'Bricn was made one
OF the commissioners.
In the isolation and solitude of the
long winters on the shores OF Lake
Superior, Mr.. O'Brien's naturally fine
literary powers sought expression, and
he began his first novel, "Thc Days OF
Dalystown," which was published in this
city and met with instant approval. This
story was followed in succession by
three others, dead Broke" "Thc Wild
ow Melville's Boarding House" and
Frank Blake" Mr.. O'Brien's books
were we'll written and very popular at
the time, and today may be found in
nearly all Catholic libraries.
Mr. OBrien was instrumental in es-
tablishing the Northwestern Chronicle
and was its first editor. He was noted
for his sound views and his consistent
Catholicity. AS lecturer Mr.. O'Bricn
was widely known for his eloquence,
wit, and wisdom, and travelled extensive
ly to fulfill platform engagements. Al
though he devoted much OF his life to
helping his fellowmen to better their
condition, in a spirit of true Christian
charity, he. had nothing in him of the
professional reformer. Aside from his
writing and public speaking his greatest
work was accomplished by personal ef-