The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-10-12
DEATH OF WILLIAM 0'BRlEN.
Had Been a Member Of the Mime
apoIis Fire Department
Since 1888.

William O'Brien, one of the best
known firemen in the city, passed
away in st. Luke's hospital last Sun
day, where he had gone for an opera
ton early in September. While he
resigned from active work in the de-
partment about seven years ago to
take up farming in South Dakota he
nevertheless continued to make this
city his home and it may be said of
him, too, that he never fully with
drew from the service as a fireman
He was thus engaged when he entered
the hospital last month.
Blessed with rugged constitution
he gave little attention to a throat
trouble that made its appearance some
six months ago. 1t was only slight
hoarseness at first, in itself quite
common, which increased with time
until his voice was but a whisper. 1t
was then he sought medical advice,
but it was too late. Doctors who had
here and in st. Paul soon found, on
examination, that cancerous con.
dition existed and an operation soon
followed. There were two. The first
was only preparation, the second or
main operation taking place some
ten days later. He rallied from each
nicely, but the skill so we'll employed
could not save him. The disease had
become too deep-seated and death
soon thereafter claimed him.
Mr.. O'Brien was born in Prescott
Wis.,, September II, 1861, and came
to Minneapolis in the spring of 1885,
and in the fall of that year entered the
fire department.
The funeral took place from the
family residence, 1118 Adams street
Thursday morning at 8 o'clock, serv
ices being conducted at St. Anthony
of Padua church at $3.50 o'clock, fol
lowing which his remains were taken
to Prescott for interment in the Cath
olic cemetery of that city. AS a mark
of honor Chief William Ringer of the
fire department sent a delegation OF
fifty firemen to attend the funeral al
the church here.
Deceased is survived by his wife
and four children, namely: Paul, Of
Salt Lake City, Utah; William an6
John O'Brien, Minneapolis, and Mrs
Charles w. Cambell of Merriam Park
His son William is now on duty with
the American expeditionary forces ir
France. Two brothers and two sis
tiers who survive him are Edward anG
John d. O'Brien of this city, Mrs. j
B. Dunn, St. Cloud, and Sister Alex
ander Of st. Joseph's convent, Still
water.
Mr.. O'Brien was member of Di
vision No. Ancient Order of Hiber
mans, the Eagles and Workmen.
Many of those who will read these
lines knew William OBrien intimate
ly. He had wide acquaintance, as
the sorrow at his death indicates. He
was among that class of men whom
you met and did not forget instantly.
A member of the rank and file, his
heart beat warmly for his fellowmen,
He had life and that in abundance.
Men remembered that they met him
and his ~oft-time comely sayings did
not hastily pass away. His good cheer
was proverbial. Over there at the
Odd fire station, whenever it seemed
gloomy in the morning or perhaps
stormy at night he had a new story
to tell or a new song to sing that lifted
one out of a low mood to the rising
ground. Who will forget his Jokes
and mimicries? So wholesome. Otter,
they caused peals of laughter, but thew
left no sting. At any entertainment it
has truly been said Of him, tshis pres.
ence was a festival"
SUBSCRIBED $4,000.
n S0eSS