The Mankato free press., 1904-12-23
Was In His Eighty eighth Year.
An Active Career.
Participated in the Defense of
Whites Against Indians.
Wife Was a Mankato Lady,
Leaves Several Children

Dennis O'Brien, a pioneer. resident of
Nicollet county, died Wednesday morn
ing at st. Peter. He was eighty-eight
years old, and had resided in st. Peter
twenty-five years.
Mr.. O'Brien was born in County Cork,
Ireland, in July, 1916, he spent his youth
and early manhood in the land of his ma
tivity. At the age of thirty years MIR.
O'Brien enlisted in the ROYAL Navy,
serving with distinction on the frigate,
"Thetis," then cruising in Mediterranean
waters, but upon receiving an honorable
discharge he embarked for America
Reaching this country in lS49 he settled
at Gouveneur, Jefferson County, New
York, but two years later found him in
Chicago. Next he journeyed to New Or
leans but the south did not impress him
as favorable abiding place and in 1854
he came to Minnesota. His arrival here,
antedating the admission of the state,
was made at time when ST. Peter was
all but unthought of. Only one building
stood on the present townsite and Mr..
O'Brien was able to homestead a farm
on the banks of Lake Emily, piece
OF property now owned by Fred Volk.
During the first winter in the settle
ment he divided his time between liv-
ing in his settlers cabin and working
in the growing villags. At this period
his trade as carpenter stood him well
in hand and many of the later arrivals
built their habitaticns with his assis-
tance. Three years later, in the win
ter of 1861, he contributed his share
toward the quelling O. the Inkpad,ftah
uprising, but in 1860 the gold finds in
California attracted him and he again
went south, crossed the Isthmus of
Panama and thus gained egress to the
region made famous by the discoveries
of 40 Six months were spent there and
in the fall of '6l he returned to st. Pet
er
The following year the entire frontier
was plunged into the horrors of the Lit
tie Crow massacre and as soon as word
was received of the outbreak of the
Sioux, he volunteered his services. As a
member of Col Charles f. Flandreau's
company he marched to New Ulm. After
the first attack had been repulsed,
Colonel Flandreau set his men to
strengthen the barbados, but on Satur-
day morning, Aug. 23rd, 1862, the saw
ages advanced to give pitched battle
and the commander then decided to send
courier to Gen. III. HI. Sibley, advanc-
ing from ST. Paul with reinforcements,
urging him to push forward. Dennis
O'Brien was selected for the dangerous
duty, and left the city at an early hour
when the Indians were approaching from
all sides. Two men i'm charge of the
ferry, who assisted him to cross the
river, were killed, but he dashed through
their lines, rode across the country and
succeeded in delivering. his message.
Upon the cessation of hostilities, Mr.
O'Brien resumed more peaceful pursuits.
He early disposed of his government
homestead but other property was sub
sequently purchased and, while living in
st. Peter, he gave his attention to the
management of this About twenty five
years ago he gave up active work and
the remainder of his life was spent
quietly at his home on Third street.
December 2lst, 1856, Mr.. O'Brien
was married at Mankato to Miss Brid-
get O'Brien and eight children rewarded
their union. The widow, four sons and
daughter mourn his loss, the children
being John and Darlington of Deadwood,
S. D., William, Henry and Miss Han
nah O'Brien of st. Peter.
The st. Peter Herald pays Mr.. O'Brien
great tribute as man and citi-
zen.
The funeral was held in st. Peter to-
day.