George D. O'Brien

George D. O'Brien
O'Brien, c. 1943
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 13th district
In office January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939
Preceded by	Clarence J. McLeod
Succeeded by	Clarence J. McLeod
In office January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1947
Preceded by	Clarence J. McLeod
Succeeded by	Howard A. Coffin
In office January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1955
Preceded by	Howard A. Coffin
Succeeded by	Charles Diggs
Personal details
Born	(1900-01-01)January 1, 1900 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	October 25, 1957(1957-10-25) (aged 57) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Margaret O'Brien
Alma mater	University of Detroit (BA) University of Detroit Law School (JD)
Occupation	Lawyer politician
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Rank	private
Conflict	World War I

George Donoghue O'Brien (January 1, 1900 – October 25, 1957) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives on three separate occasions.

Early life and education

O'Brien was born in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. During the First World War, O'Brien served as a private and was assigned to the Students' Training Corps. He graduated from the University of Detroit in 1921 and also graduated from the University of Detroit Law School in 1924. He was admitted to the bar in 1924 and commenced practice in Detroit.

Tenure in Congress

In 1936, O'Brien defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Clarence J. McLeod to be elected as a Democrat from Michigan's 13th congressional district to the 75th Congress, serving from January 3, 1937, to January 3, 1939. He lost to McLeod in 1938, but defeated McLeod again in 1940 to be elected to the 77th Congress, and subsequently re-elected to the 78th and 79th Congresses, serving from January 3, 1941, to January 3, 1947. In 1946, he lost to Republican Howard Aldridge Coffin, but defeated Coffin in 1948 to be elected to the 81st Congress and subsequently re-elected to the 82nd and 83rd Congresses, serving from January 3, 1949, to January 3, 1955. In 1954, he was defeated in the Democratic Party primary elections by Charles C. Diggs, Jr., who went on to win the general election.

O'Brien was chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads during the 75th Congress and a delegate to the 1944 Democratic National Convention in 1944. He also was an unsuccessful candidate for circuit judge of Michigan's 3rd Circuit in 1947.

Life after Congress

After leaving Congress, O'Brien served as assistant corporation counsel of the District of Columbia, assigned to the Civil Proceedings Division from July 11, 1955, until his death in Washington, D.C.

He is interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.

References

• United States Congress. "George D. O'Brien (id: O000009)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard

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Chairs of the United States House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

Post Office and Post Roads
(1808–1947)

• Rhea
• Ingham
• Livermore
• F. Johnson
• J. Johnson
• Ingham
• McKean
• R. Johnson
• Connor
• McKay
• Briggs
• Hopkins
• Goggin
• Potter
• Olds
• Mace
• English
• Colfax
• Alley
• Farnsworth
• Packer
• Clark
• Waddell
• Money
• Bingham
• Money
• Blount
• Bingham
• J. Henderson
• Loud
• Overstreet
• Weeks
• Moon
• Steenerson
• Griest
• Sanders
• Mead
• Romjue
• Burch
• O'Brien

(Reform in the) Civil Service*
(1893–1947)

• Andrew
• De Forest
• Brosius
• Gillett
• Godwin
• Hamill
• Godwin
• Lehlbach
• Jeffers
• Ramspeck
• Randolph

Post Office and Civil Service
(1947–1995)

• Rees
• Murray
• Rees
• Murray
• Dulski
• D. Henderson
• Nix
• Hanley
• Ford
• Clay

Note

^*Name shortened from Reform in the Civil Service to Civil Service in 1925.