r appreciated and rewarded.

Born in Ireland, July 13, 1827, he was brought to America when five
years old. Boston became the home of his childhood, and has always been
his place of residence. Ever since he graduated from the old grammar
school on Fort Hill, he has been swayed by Boston ideas and influences.
The excellent ground-work of his education obtained in that school soon
became enlarged and increased through the efforts of young O'Brien to
add to his stock of information on all conceivable subjects. To
accomplish this he haunted the Public Library, and eagerly read
everything of a useful nature--history, biography and statistics having
a peculiar fascination to him. During this time he had also entered the
office of the _Boston Courier_ to learn the printer's trade, at the
age of twelve years. He made rapid progress in that important art. From
the _Courier_ he went to the book and job printing office of
Messrs. Tuttle, Dennett & Chisholm, on School street, where he became
foreman at the early age of fifteen. After several years service there,
he started the publication of the _Shipping and Commercial List_,
with which he still maintains a connection, and has always been its
principal editor.

Any young man desiring to advance himself intellectually and socially in
life could not have had a better schooling than that afforded by the
newspaper work which Mr. O'Brien has done. Added to all this labor,
there was the ambition of this young man to succeed. He had a distinct
aim in life, which was always to be an honored and respected member of
his craft and of society. He is, therefore, found diligently at work
absorbed in business and intellectual pursuits. Various literary
societies and philanthropic projects have always found in him a sturdy
supporter.

What would be the future of such an energetic and ambitious young man
was easily predicted by his friends and acquaintances, and the
predictions have been verified. It was believed that he would succeed in
life, become a very useful member of society, and "make his mark in the
world," as the saying goes. These things have come to pass. And why?
Because the young man equipped himself early with the weapons with which
to fight the battle of life. And he never dropped those weapons; therein
is the secret of his success. Many young men begin life aright; how sad
that they do not continue in the right path!

Mr. O'Brien made the _Shipping and Commercial List_ a stron