John Vincent O'Brien, attorney and assistant clerk of the probate court, has been very active in law practice and also in connection with political affairs in New Haven for some years. He was born December 8, 1884, in the city which is still his home. His father, Phillip O'Brien, is a native of Ireland and came to America in 1865, settling in New Haven, where he engaged in contracting and building, remaining active in business until 1901, when he retired to private life, enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He married Maria Brady, also a native of Ireland, and both survive. They had a family of seven children, five of whom are living: Sylvester L., a resident of Brooklyn, New York; Dr. Edward F., of New Haven; Dr. Thomas A., who makes his home in Waterbury; John Vincent, of this review; and Mrs. William Clarkin of New Haven.
     In the schools of New Haven John Vincent O'Brien pursued his education. He was graduated from the Lovell grammar school in 1900 and from the New Haven high school with the class of 1904. He afterward became a student in the law department of Yale and was admitted to the bar in 1910. He then engaged in practice with the late Judge R. H. Tyner and after the death of Judge Tyner he became associated with Corporation Counsel Charles Kleiner. He is engaged in general practice and is well known as a representative of the legal profession of this city. He has also been very active in republican politics since leaving college. He was deputy registrar of the eighth ward for one year and since 1912 has been assistant clerk of the court of probate in the district of New Haven.
     On the 20th of January, 1915, Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Buckley, a daughter of the late Joseph H. and Anna (Mason) Buckley, of this city. They have one child, Anna Elizabeth. The parents are members of St. Brendan's Roman Catholic church and Mr. O'Brien also belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. Patrick and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is likewise a member of the Republican Club and he belongs to Troop A. Veterans Association. His active military service began with his enlistment in the Connecticut Naval Militia in 1904 and he thus continued until 1907. From 1908 until 1915 he was a member of Troop A of the Connecticut National Guard and in the latter year received a state medal for ten years' service. During his high school days he was active in athletics and was a member of the hockey team, while at Yale he became a member of the freshman hockey team. He worked his way through school and college, having been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood since being a small boy. His progress is the re-sult of his close application, energy and ability, and individual effort has brought him to a. creditable position as a member of the New Haven bar.