Fonds MS 31;1975.023;1995.041 - M.J. O'Brien fonds

Martin J. O'Brien was born in Loughboro, Ontario in 1861, the son of James and Mary O'Brien, both of Canadian birth. He was educated at district schools and upon completion of his education, went to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba to work as a bookkeeper and clerk with Carey and Co., grocers and liquor merchants. He remained in their employ for two years, then took a position with a large wholesale and liquor business in Winnipeg, staying there until 1886. That year he went to Donald, B.C., entering into the wholesale liquor business with Mr. Charles Fox. In 1888, he, with a Mr. Milligan, bought out Mr. Fox and formed the firm of Milligan and O'Brien, which continued until 1890. For the next three years, Mr. O'Brien spent his time as a prospector in the Slocan and South Kootenay region., locating silver mines. In 1894, he moved to Vernon and began the manufacture of aerated waters under the name Vernon Bottling Works. In 1896, he opened a branch factory in Revelstoke, and in 1901 incorporated the Revelstoke Wine and Spirit Co. Ltd., wholesale dealers in wine, liquors, cigars, and manufacturer of aerated waters. Mr. O'Brien was managing director of the company. At the same time, he was the proprietor of the Vernon Sodawater Works, agents for various distilleries and breweries. That business was carried on principally throughout the West Kootenays. The company was also managing agent in Revelstoke for the Phoenix Fire Insurance Co.of London and the London, Liverpool, Globe, and Queen Insurance Companies. In 1902, Mr. O'Brien was elected mayor of Revelstoke. He had married Charlotte Dunsmuir in Vernon in 1899 and they had three children. The family returned to Vernon in 1906, where Mr. O'Brien took such an interest in civic affairs that he was elected mayor in 1912. After the first world war, he sold his business to A. McCulloch. He died in 1940 after a long illness.