O'Brien, Matthew J.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Matthew J. O'Brien. United States inspector of steam vessels at New Orleans, is one of the best known men in that city, and his recognized integrity makes him a man to be trusted in whatever capacity he may chance to act. Captain O'Brien was born in Limerick county, Ireland, in January, 1837. He came to America in 1843 and located in Alabama until 1848. By trade he is a machinist and engineer and his proficiency in these callings renders him an efficient official in the responsible government position to which he has been appointed. At the opening of the Civil war he entered the confederate navy, serving first on the confederate man-of-war the "Sumter." He was afterward made second assistant engineer on the "Alabama" and still later was made chief engineer on the "Shenandoah." After the surrender of the "Shenandoah" in Liverpool, England, in 1865, he returned home and soon afterward accepted the position of chief and assistant superintending engineer of the Morgan & Southern Pacific steamship and railroad company. He served in this position until 1885, when he was appointed to the position which he has since filled with such signal ability. He was married to Miss Mary Clary and they are the parents of three living children. He and his family are members of the Catholic church.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 288. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.