Third Sergeant James S. O’Brien

Third Sergeant James S. O’Brien was born on 1821 in Queens County, Ireland and died October 28, 1874 in Waverly, IA.

James S. O’Brien entered the Cavalry on October 17, 1862, in Freeport, IL, served during the Civil War era and reached the rank of Third Sergeant before being discharged on July 31, 1865 in Pulaski, TN.

James S. O’Brien is buried at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Waverly, Iowa and can be located at 42° 43.62300' N 092° 27.42096' W

• Prisoner of War: Yes

Armed Forces Grave Registration

Listed as recruit. Served 6 mo. Libbery Prison. Born in Queens Co., Ireland. Came to U.S. as a young man. Enlisted from Freeport, Ill in 1862 in Co. I. 14 Ill Cav. was promoted to 3 duty Sgt at Pulaski Tenn. Mar -1-1865 by order of Lt. Hughes Adj. 14 Ill Cav. & Col Davidson Drew pension for disability. Taken prisoner and served 6 months in Libbey prison. Came to Waverly, Ia. in the early 60’s. Married Bridgett Simpson wife of Timothy McKliggett who were married in Ireland in Co. Cork. McK died at Freeport and O’Brien Mrs. McK. There were five children by McKliggett but only one daughter Bridgett Delia by 2nd marriage who married James McDonald and lived in Waverly up to 1932 when they moved to Independence to keep house for her Father Ernest McDonald. By vocation M. O’Brien was a laborer. His health broke and his death can be attributed to the abuse of Libbey Prison. His brother-in-law Edward Simpson was also in an Ill. Regt. Co. B. 96 Ill. Inf. Both are buried in St. Mary’s Catholic Cem. at Waverly. Bridgett O’Brien survived him many years. By her 1st marriage to McKligett there were Josie (Benson) Nora deceased. Elen Smith-John McKligett and Timothy Mc(McDonald)

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