Rev. Patrick O'Brien1

#27061, (circa 1821 - 13 July 1873)
Relationship2nd cousin 2 times removed of Estelle Rose Roche
Father*Daniel O'Brien1 (c 1785 - )
Mother*Ellen Casey1 (c 1800 - b 1897)
Our Pastors in Calvary (Mary Constance Smith, 1924)
From History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Rev. John Rothensteiner:
In November 1847 Father Patrick O'Brien was charged by the Archbishop with the organization of a new Congregation, in what was then the West End of St. Louis. Rev. Patrick O'Brien was born on St. Patrick's day, 1815, in the County of Cork, Ireland. His father, Daniel O'Brien, emigrated with his family in 1839, and settled in the town of Potosi, a short distance from St. Louis. As the young Patrick had received an excellent education, under the immediate care of some learned priests in Cork, and as he had always felt an inclination to the religious life, he entered the Seminary of the Lazarists at the Barrens and, after a course of five years, was ordained priest by Bishop Kenrick in 1846. After ordination the young priest was attached to the Cathedral of St. Louis, and from there was sent on a missionary tour through the entire state. He was accompanied by Father Thomas Burke, C. M.
Father O'Brien was eminently qualified to explore the wild and sparsely settled portions of the country. His father was one of the best civil engineers and surveyors of the day. and had naturally imparted some of his practical knowledge to the youthful Patrick. On his return from the tour, he was again attached to the Cathedral. Father O'Brien's first church was a little frame chapel. He then built the small St. John's Church, the people bringing him bricks for the purpose. The corner stone of this was laid in 1847, Father Timon officiating. This second church became "St. John's Library" and still stands next to St. John's Basilica, which was built a few years later by Father John Bannon. The neighborhood was as yet forest and farmland. Washington Avenue ended in an orchard on Seventh Street, and the devout worshipers had to plod their way along the woodland paths and unpaved streets to attend mass at St. John's. But with happy smile and ever ready joke Father O'Brien was there to greet them. From 1854 to 1858 a number of distinguished priests served as assistants at St. John's: John O'Hanlon, John Hogan, Eugene O'Hea.
In 1857 Father O'Brien took a leave of absence and started on a holiday trip to Ireland from which he returned in May 1858, to become pastor of St. Michael's....
With his old vigor and enterprise he entered upon the discharge of his new and laborious duties; paying off in a very short time the debt of $8000.00 that had for a while burdened the church. Then came an undertaking of still greater importance, the building of the parochial school on Eleventh and Benton Streets, and the Sisters' convent. This was done at a cost of $50,000.00, all of the large sum was paid within a few years.
But the constant strain of building and procuring the means to build proved too much for body and mind. Again a trip across the sea was considered the best, if not the only, remedy. Early in July 1873, Father O'Brien started from New York by the steamer France of the National Line. In a few days the good Father found himself growing weaker, and on Sunday, July 13th, he passed peacefully away. His body was committed to the sea.2
 
Birth*circa 1821He was born circa 1821 at IrelandG.1 
circa 1833He accompanied Daniel O'Brien and Ellen Casey circa 1833 from Ireland to Potosi, Breton Twp., Washington Co., MissouriG.3 
Marriage21 April 1835He witnessed the marriage of John Pierce and Mary Casey on 21 April 1835 at St. Joachim Church, Old Mines / Cadet, Union Twp., Washington Co., MissouriG.4,5 
1840He appeared on the census of 1840 in the household of Daniel O'Brien and Ellen Casey at Meneabeton (now Breton) Twp., Washington Co., MissouriG; (neis. Munday, O'Mara, Casey and O'Hanlon.)6 
16 September 1850He appeared on the census of 16 September 1850 at 3rd Ward, St. Louis, Missouri.7 
Marriage23 June 1856 Elizabeth Redmond and Andrew O'Brien were married by Rev. Patrick O'Brien, Andrew's brother, on 23 June 1856 at St. John's Church, St. Louis, Missouri.8,9 
Marriage7 August 1856 Jane Boyse and John O'Brien were married by Rev. Patrick O'Brien (JOhn's brother) on 7 August 1856 at Missouri; (see note.)10 
1864He and Daniel O'Brien Jr. lived in 1864 at St. Michael's, 10th and Jefferson, St. Louis, MissouriG.11 
Death*13 July 1873He died at sea on board the France on 13 July 1873.12 

Citations

  1. [S2311] Richard D Mudd, The Mudd Family of the United States (Ann Arbor, Michigan: Edward Brothers, 1951), p. 433.
  2. [S2532] Rev. John Rothensteiner History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Two Volumes (St. Louis: Blackwell Wielandy Co., printers, 1928), II:98-99, 103.
  3. [S2532] Rev. John Rothensteiner History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, II:98. "Daniel O'Brien, emigrated with his family in 1839, and settled in the town of Potosi, a short distance from St. Louis." But it had to have been before that as Daniel appears as a marriage witness in 1838.
  4. [S1813] Andrew Casey Probate File, St. Louis, Missouri (1895-1898), No. 21510 (microfilm C39583), Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, Missouri (summary linked to Source below), Mary Pierce, née Casey, named as deceased paternal aunt of Andrew Casey, decedent.
  5. [S2313] St. James's Church Parish Registers (Potosi, Missouri). Book A (A-2), p. 5, img. 133/1060. John Pierce, from England, and Mary Casey, from Ireland, now both of Washington Co., marr. 21 Apr 1835 by Lewis Tucker, parish priest; witn. John Casey, Catherine O'Brien, Patrick O'Brien and John Casey.
  6. [S54] 1840 U.S. Federal Census. Daniel O'bryan (50-59); F (40-49) [Ellen]; M (20-29) [Patrick], m (15-19) [John), 2 m (10-14) [Andrew, Daniel], m (5-9) [James]; F (20-29) [Catherine], f (10-14) [Mary]; 2 free colored males (<10) and 1 free colored female (10-23).
  7. [S20] 1850 U.S. Federal Census. Patrick O'Brien (34), b. Ireland, priest, St.John's Church.
  8. [S271] Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, Microfilm images, online Ancestry.com, St Louis > Record images for St Louis > 1853-1860 > img. 33/596, p. 63. Andrew O'Brien and Elizabeth Redmond [or Redmind], marr. 23 Jun 1856 by Patk. O'Brien, pastor of St. John's.
  9. [S2423] Adella Breckenbridge Moore, "Casey", Community Builders column in unk. newspaper, date unk.
  10. [S271] Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, online Ancestry.com, St Louis > Record images for St Louis > 1853-1860 > img. 33/596, p. 63. John O'Brien and Jane Boyce, marr. 7 Aug 1856 by Patk. O'Brien, pastor of St. John's.
  11. [S318] Edwards' Annual Director in the City of St. Louis (St. Louis, MO.: Richard Edwards, published annually, Vol. 1864, p. 421, img. 310/487. Rev. Patrick O'Brien, pastor St. Michael's Chuch, northwest corner of 10th and Jefferson. Daniel O'Brien, surveyor, res. northwest corner of 10th and Jefferson.
  12. [S2532] Rev. John Rothensteiner History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, II:103, see Historical Note.