John O'Brien
John O'Brien, general superintendent of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company, of Lima, was born at Forestville, Chautauqua County, New York, January 22, 1863, being a member of one of the old, well-known families of the place.
After completing his education in the Forestville Academy, in 1878, Mr. O' Brien started out to make his own way in the world, with little capital but his health, education and energy. Just at this time the oil field of McKean County, Pennsylvania, was attracting residents of all parts of the Union and thither the young man made his way. At Bradford he became a messenger with the Western Union Telegraph Company, and incidentally learned telegraphing. He was subsequently engaged as a clerk in the Bradford office of the Erie Railroad and remained there as clerk and telegraph operator until June 1, 1880. He then entered the employ of the National Transit Company as a telegraph operator at Corning, New York. He remained there two years and when the Corning office was closed by the company, Mr. O'Brien was transferred back to the Bradford office. He was engaged at different pump stations in the oil field as his services were needed and thus became fully acquainted with the different fields and all the details of the oil business. In the latter part of 1882 the National Transit Company showed its recognition of Mr. O. Brien's fidelity and ability by recalling him from the field stations to their offices at Bradord, then the scene of the companies greatest interests.
Mr. O' Brien remained in the Bradford office for five years, when he was again promoted, being removed to the New York office, where he became manager of the National Transit Company's telegraph business. Five months later, on April 1, 1888, Mr. O'Brien permanently left the telegraph department, but not the company's service. He was then placed in charge of the Bradford oil field as assistant superintendent, a position he most efficiently filled for seven years. On June 1, 1895, he became superintendent of the whole Bradford district, and since then he has been steadily advanced until at present he occupies one of the most responsible positions in the gift of the company. On October 13, 1903, he was sent to Lima as assistant general superintendent of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company, The Indiana Pipe Line Company, and made general manager of the Prairie Oil & Gas Company, of the Kansas field. The death of Daniel J. O' Day brought about his promotion as general superintendent of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company and the Indiana Pipe Line Company. He has severed his connections with the Prairie Oil & Gas Company. He has other large interests, being a director of the First National Bank of Independence, Kansas; a director of the Independence Iron Works; a director of the Bartlesville ( I. T. ) Water Company and is also interested as a stockholder in the Lima Trust Company, the Bradford National Bank and in other financial institutions.
Mr. O' Brien was married to Louise Newell of Bradford, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 1893, and they have three children, viz: Louise Norman and Florence. The family belongs to St. Rose Catholic Church at Lima.