Francis Xavier O'Brien |
| Posted 2009-12-11 by Pat R |
| Arizona State Miner (Wickenburg) Saturday, January 23, 1926, p 1 c 2 J. H. O'Brien of Phoenix motored to Wickenburg on Monday to accompany his brother, F. X. O'Brien, where he will enter St Joseph hospital for treatment. Mr. O'Brien has been quite ill at his home here for some weeks, but is slowly improving. Mrs O'Brien accompanied him, returning on Tuesday. --------------------------- Arizona State Miner (Wickenburg) Saturday, January 30, 1926, p 2 c 3 Frank X. O'Brien, Pioneer of Wickenburg, Dies in Phoenix Surrounded by members of his family, Frank X. O'Brien, veteran mining man and pioneer of the Phoenix and Wickenburg districts, died Sunday morning in a Phoenix hospital after an illness of about two years. Mr. O'Brien was the owner of a number of mining properties in the Wickenburg district and also had large real estate holdings in the immediate limits of the little city. He had been a resident of Wickenburg for about 25 years and was a native of Missouri. One of his properties for many years was known as the "O'Brien Mine," and later under other ownership was called the "Interior Mine." It is located about 20 miles from Wickenburg. Mr. O'Brien was 78 years of age. Wide regret was expressed in Wickenburg over the death of the pioneer who was prominently identified with the upbuilding and progress of the district. Many citizens of Wickenburg were in Phoenix to attend the funeral services, which were held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock at St Mary's church. Burial was made in St. Francis cemetery, where a host of friends and relatives attended the last rites of the funeral. Mr. O'Brien is survived by his widow and four children, two boys and two girls. Two boys, Lawrence and Anthony, and one daughter, Adelaide Marie, reside in Wickenburg, and Mrs. E. T. Golden, daughter by another marriage, now lives in Los Angeles. J. H. O'Brien, one brother, resides at 30 West Willeta street, Phoenix, while two other brothers, Phillip N. and Joseph, reside in Whitewater, Mo., and Rosedale, Kan., respectively. Mrs. Ella De Ryke, sister, also lives in Rosedale. Mr. O'Brien was born in Cape Giradeau, Mo. -------------------------------- Arizona State Miner (Wickenburg) Saturday, February 6, 1926, p 1 c 1 Tribute To F.X. O'Brien The passing of F.X. O'Brien marks the end of a career of usefulness. We have lost one of our best citizens and it seems that his outstanding services for this community, is worthy of more than passing mention. Were there nothing else to his credit than the quieting of title of all Wickenburg property, the people of this community would owe him an everlasting debt of gratitude. In the early period of the then territory, Henry Wickenburg, discoverer of the famous Vulture mine, filed on the land on which the town is now located. After securing title from the Government he platted the land and established the town that bears his name. There having been no regular government survey and few surveyors available, Wickenburg platted the land in the rough manner of the time and sold many lots. After his death the people who got his property began to make claims on lots that had been sold by Henry Wickenburg. Great anxiety existed among the property holders. Mr. O'Brien purchased a few of the lots so contested and brought a suit to quiet title. After the expenditure of much money by Mr. O'Brien, the titles were quieted, as was the anxiety of the townspeople who had purchased lots. About this time he was developing a farm near Wickenburg for the purpose of testing out the various farm products that would be adaptable to the locality. He did establish the fact that no finer fruits and vegetables could be grown anywhere. As there were no county agents or farm advisors in the territory at that time, the test was made at great expense and the loss of many trees. The orchard was close to the railroad and was constantly robbed, tho no poor family within miles of the town suffered for fresh fruit as long as the orchard survived. Mining was Mr. O'Brien's pricipal interest. He developed and sold properties in Colorado and Arizona. The O'Brien Mine, later known as the Interior Mining and Trust Co. was brought to successful production of gold. While he was manager of the property in 1911 and 1912, regular weekly shipments of gold bullion were made. Camp B is another property that was brought beyond the prospect stage by Mr. O'Brien, who still owned this property at the time of his death. Mr. O'Brien planted the first street trees in Wickenburg and was the first to plant roses and other shrubbery as well as a lawn. His example was rapidly followed, indeed, he gave many trees and plants to people free of charge and these people planted, too, until now the little city on the Hassayampa is one of the prettiest places in the state. Much of the money accumulated through his mining activities was invested in Phoenix real estate and also in Wickenburg, where his land holdings are extensive, part of them now being known as the Remuda Ranch. In 1907 he married Miss M. Patricia Hutchinson. Three children were born to them, Lawrence, aged 17, Adelaide, 15, and Anthony, 12, all of whom give promise of following in the constructive footsteps of their father. One great outstanding characteristic of F.X. O'Brien was his willingness to fight for a principle, champion of the week. After studying both sides of a question and satisfying himself that the cause was just, he often went down into his pocket to see justice done to or for a person or one who could not defend himself. He numbered among his closest friends most of the prominent mining men of the West. A complete story of the constructive works and life of F. X. O'Brien would make a thrilling narrative. See Also: Find A Grave |
Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.
Questions About This Project?