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William J. "Bill" O'Brien

House 1963-66 (District 45)

Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus

Counties Served:  Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 2/19/1930
Birth Place: Jacksonville, Florida
Birth County:
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death: 6/25/2007
Gender: Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names: Bill
City of Residence (when first elected): Saint Paul
Occupation (when first elected): Investment Counselor

EDUCATION

St. Luke's Grade School; Elementary School;
St. Paul Academy, St. Paul, Minnesota; Secondary; Graduate
Cornell University; Attended College; 2 years, Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota; B.B.A.; Finance, 1952

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Historical Society Board; 19?? to 19??
State Agency: Minnesota Department of Economic Development (Commissioner); 19?? to 19??
State Auditor: Minnesota; 03/07/1969 to 01/1971

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Patty (while in office); Sandra (remarried)
Children: Four children (while in office): Katherine, Alice, Julia, and Deborah (daughters); and Elizabeth (stepdaughter, after he left office)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

William O'Brien State Park was named after his grandfather.

He was a member of the Republican Party.

He ran unsuccessfully as a Conservative candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1972 election. His opponent, Raymond J. Kempe, defeated him by 318 votes. He sought a partial recount but the court denied the request.

He was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Minnesota Lieutenant Governor.

He died in Duluth, Minnesota.

Total Days Served: 1456

SESSIONS SERVED

64th Legislative Session (1965-1966)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/5/1965
Body: House
District: 45
Elected: 11/3/1964
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/4/1965 to 1/1/1967
Oath Date: 1/5/1965
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Investment Counselor
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Cities of the First and Second Class
  • Financial Institutions and Securities
  • Health and Welfare
  • Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
  • Recreation and Water Resources

63rd Legislative Session (1963-1964)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1963
Body: House
District: 45
Elected: 11/6/1962
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/7/1963 to 1/3/1965
Oath Date: 1/8/1963
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Investment Counselor
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
  • Cities of the 1st and 2nd Class
  • Financial Institutions and Securities
  • Game and Fish
  • Health and Welfare
  • Taxes

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