CHARLES B. O'BRIEN, a substantial and well known citizen of Conneaut, is a native of Pennsylvania.  He was born at Butler, Aug. 13, 1882, and is the son of Daniel and Nora (Finn) O'Brien.
     Daniel O'Brien was born at Rochester, N. Y., and removed to Butler, Pa., when a young man.  He later settled at Greenville, Pa., where he entered the employ of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad.  He was a Republican and a member of the Catholic Church.  Mr. O'Brien died at Erie, Pa., in 1902 and his wife, a native of Warren, Pa., died during the same year.  They were the parents of the following children:  Mary, married Thomas J. Hayes, retired, lives at Erie, Pa.; Elizabeth, married R. J. Caughey, lives at Schenectady, N. Y.; Josephine, married A. C. Fenton lives at Erie, Pa.; Clara, married William Hawley, lives at Erie, Pa.; John A., died in 1893; Thomas P., died in 1907; Charles the subject of this sketch; and Daniel died in infancy.
     Charles B. O'Brien spent is boyhood in Erie, Pa., and was educated in the schools there.  He began life in the employ of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad and has been an engineer on that railroad for the past 27 years.  In 1920 Mr. O'Brien engaged in the coal business at Conneaut, which he conducts in connection with his railroad work.  His place of business is located in connection with his railroad work.  His place of business is located at the foot of Main Street and his residence is at 476 Harbor Street.
     In May, 1903, Mr. O'Brien was married to Miss Daisy Conn, a native of Erie, Pa., and a daughter of Albert A., and Lena (Roberts) Conn, residents of Erie, Pa.  Mrs. O'Brien has a brother and sister, John, who lives in Pennsylvania, and Margaret, lives at home.  To Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien three children have been born, as follows:  Thelma, Albert and Marion, all students.
     Mr. O'Brien and his family are members of the Catholic Church and he belongs to the Elks Lodge and the Knights of Columbus.  He has an excellent standing in the town of Conneaut and is highly esteemed.
Source: History of Ashtabula County, Ohio - by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 - Page 1053

REV. MATTHEW O'BRIEN, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Ashtabula was appointed pastor of this church June 28, 1903, by the Rt. Rev. I. F. Horstman, Bishop of Cleveland.  He also served for six and one-half years as assistant pastor of St. Coleman's church at Cleveland, Ohio, prior to coming to Ashtabula.
     In 1855 Rev. Charles Coguerelle attended the Ashtabula parish from Painesville, Ohio, and under his direction a small frame church was built in 1860 on a two acre tract of land, which he secured by contract, but for which the deed was not given until July 19, 1864.  The purchase price was $300.  From 1861 until 1862 the Rev. Alexis Caron V. G. had charge of the parish, although a resident of Painesville.  In the fall of 1862 he died and Rev. John Ellwood was appointed first resident pastor of Ashtabula.  His stay only lasted nine months and he was succeeded by Rev. John Tracy in July, 1863.  During Reverend Tracy's pastorate the interior of the church was finished and a residence for the priest was also erected, as well as the parish school.  In Sept., 1865, the first school was opened and when Reverend Tracy left Ashtabula in October, 1869, the church was without debt.  He was succeeded by Rev. Edward J. Conway, who built an addition to the church of 35 feet in 1872 to accommodate the increasing membership.  The present two story brick school was built at a cost of $2,300.00 and the old school changed into a residence for the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, who had charge of the school.  During Reverend Tracy's pastorate in 1881 he also secured a five acre tract of land for a cemetery.  Rev. Thomas M. Smyth succeeded Reverend Conway in 1887 and was pastor until Dec., 1893.  He was attended Ashtabula Harbor.  In December, 1893, Reverend Tracy was again appointed pastor and the following year the pastoral residence was remodeled and enlarged at a cost of about $1,200.  He then prepared for the erection of a handsome church, for which purpose a considerable sum was raised.
     The school was in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1866 until 1890 and from that time until 1897 by the Sisters of Charity from Cincinnati, Ohio.  Since 1897 the Sisters of the Humility of Mary have been in charge.
     The cornerstone for the new church was laid on Aug. 1, 1905, and the church dedicated Nov. 11, 1906, b the Rev. Bishop Horstmann.  It was erected at a cost of $52,000.00, and the pastor's residence at a cost o $10,000.00.  In 1905 the sister's house was moved to its present site and considerably improved.  The buildings were erected by Rev. Matthew O'Brien.  At Present 97 students are enrolled in St. Joseph school.
Source: History of Ashtabula County, Ohio - by Moina W. Large - Vol. I - 1924 - Page  1024