James O'Brien

Who was James O'Brien?

James O'Brien of New York City, born in Ireland, was a U.S. Representative from New York from 1879 to 1881.

O'Brien was born in Ireland in County Kings. He attended the common schools, then immigrated to the United States in 1861.

O'Brien served as alderman of New York City in 1864 and 1866, then became sheriff of New York City and County in 1867. He served in the New York State Senate in 1872 and 1873, during which time he founded the Apollo Hall Democracy. He was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of New York City in 1873 and an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress.

O'Brien was then elected as an Independent Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress, but was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1880. He then worked as a broker until his death in New York City on March 5, 1907 at the age of 65 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery on Long Island.