g paper
and merchants quickly began to rely upon it for accurate information as
regards mercantile and commercial affairs. He also issued the first
annual reports of Boston's trade and commerce, and that volume has been
adopted for years by the Merchants' Exchange, The work in connection
with his newspaper naturally brought him into personal contact with the
foremost merchants of Boston. These gentlemen who have known him
intimately for forty years, have nothing but words of praise concerning
his character, honesty, and business sagacity. He has witnessed the city
grow from a population of 75,000 inhabitants to over 400,000, and all
the changes in business methods, together with the multifarious
enterprises in which Boston has engaged, are perfectly familiar to him,
and he has not been backward in helping to promote such changes and
enterprises as would benefit all classes of citizens. Prominent business
men have not only spoken well of Mr. O'Brien, but they have given a
practical illustration of their faith in him by making him the custodian
of trust funds for various purposes, and in no instance has their
confidence been misplaced. His financial abilities have always been
acknowledged to be first-class, and therefore it is not surprising to
learn that for years he has been President of the Union Institution for
Savings, Treasurer of the Franklin Typographical Union, and a director
in various benevolent and charitable institutions.

It is very natural, in view of the business training and abilities of
Hugh O'Brien, that he should be heard from in public life. Such vigorous
and brainy men do not escape the attention of the people. In 1875 he
took a seat in the Board of Aldermen, when the _Boston Advertiser_
referred to him as "well-known in the community and has the respect and
confidence of every one." It is well known in political circles that Mr.
O'Brien did not seek this office and has never been an applicant for any
office. He also served as Alderman in the years 1875, 1876, 1877, 1879,
1880, 1881 and 1883, and was chairman of the Board four years.

His public career as Alderman was closely watched by the people and is
well known. During his service in that capacity he gave to municipal
affairs the same careful study that he had devoted to business matters
when in private life. He served upon important committees, and all the
great questions of vital interest to the welfare of Boston which have
come up of late yea