Clarence McLean O’Brian was a lawyer.
He lived at 1911 Nelson Street from 1908 to 1911, at 2037 Pendrell Street in 1914 and 1915, at 1849 Robson Street or 1859 Robson Street in 1916, and at 2001 Nelson Street from 1921 to 1925.
Family Background
Clarence was born in Grenville, Quebec, on February 13 (or 14), 1880. His parents were Robert Stuart Brock O’Brian (1853-1907) and Eugenia Sarah McLean (1857-1927).
Robert O’Brian was a physician who lived in Nanaimo, British Columbia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He died in Nanaimo on September 21, 1907.
Eugenia O’Brian died in Vancouver on September 3, 1927.
Early Life
Clarence went to school in Nanaimo and Victoria.
He studied law under Robert Cassidy, and he was called to the bar in 1902.
In 1903, he moved to Vancouver, where he continued his law practice.
He lived at the following addresses from 1903 to 1955.
| 1903 | 786 Bute Street |
| 1904 | 1259 Robson Street |
| 1905 | 1100 Georgia Street |
| 1906 | 547 Burrard Street |
| 1907 | 1021 Georgia Street |
| 1908 | 771 Cambie Street (under names list) |
| 1908 | 1911 Nelson Street (under streets list) |
| 1909 | 1911 Nelson Street |
| 1910 | Glencoe Lodge (1001 Georgia Street) (under names list) |
| 1910 | 1911 Nelson Street (under streets list) |
| 1911 | 1911 Nelson Street |
| 1912 to 1913 | Glencoe Lodge (1001 Georgia Street) |
| 1914 | 2037 Pendrell Street |
| 1915 | 2029 Pendrell Street (under names list) |
| 1915 | 2037 Pendrell Street (under streets list) |
| 1916 | 1859 Robson Street |
| 1917 to 1920 | 1004 Broughton Street |
| 1921 to 1925 | 2001 Nelson Street |
| 1926 to 1937 | 1589 Marpole Avenue |
| 1938 to 1950 | 1595 Marpole Avenue |
| 1951 to 1955 | Number 15, 1379 West 15th Avenue |
Marriage to Dorothy Tunstall
On March 4, 1913, in Vancouver, Clarence married Dorothy Ella Tunstall. She was born on August 9, 1889. Her parents were Simon John Tunstall (1854-1917) and Marianne Lawson Innes (1862-1935). [Further information on the Tunstall family appears in the page for Mrs. Simon John Tunstall.]
Business Career and Later Life
Clarence was a prominent and successful lawyer in Vancouver. He was also active in Conservative Party politics.
In 1925, Clarence became the president of the Vancouver Bar Association.
In September 1928, he became a King’s Counsel. (This is an honorary title that recognizes exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession. When the sovereign is female, the title is “Queen’s Counsel.”)
Also in 1928, the British Columbia Conservative Association elected Clarence as their president.
In 1937, Clarence and Dorothy moved to 1595 Marpole Avenue in Shaughnessy Heights.
Dorothy was involved in many events in Vancouver society.
From 1943 to 1951, Clarence was a bencher of the law society.
In 1947, he became the treasurer of the law society.
In 1951, Clarence and Dorothy moved to apartment 15, 1379 West 15th Avenue. They auctioned the contents of the house at 1595 Marpole Avenue. (The auction also included items from the estate of Jessie Fisher Gordon, the former principal of Crofton House School, who died on April 12, 1951.)
Dorothy died in Vancouver on September 26, 1969.
Clarence died in Vancouver on April 1, 1971.
Clarence and Dorothy had a son
Peter Douglas O’Brian
Peter Douglas O’Brian was born in Vancouver on September 27, 1916.
He became a lawyer.
On February 22, 1939, in New Westminster, British Columbia, he married Mary Frances Covernton. She was born in Vancouver on July 16, 1919. Her parents were Charles Frederick Covernton and Gladys Margaret Campbell.
Peter died on March 7, 2010.
Mary died on April 2, 2014.
Sources
Robert Stuart Brock O’Brian (father of Clarence McLean O’Brian)
Robert Stuart Brock O’Brian (3 April 1853 – Deceased); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCDQ-VFY
“Canada Census, 1871,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M477-BCR : 24 October 2018), Robert O Brian in household of Peter O Brian, Prescott, Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, Canada; citing 1871; citing National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMNN-92P : 11 March 2018), R S B O’Brian and Eugenia Sarah Mc Lean, 10 Aug 1877; citing registration , Whitby, Ontario, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,863,649.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVK-HQS : 16 December 2019), Robert O’brien, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 21, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
1901 Census of Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island (#3), Nanaimo City, North Ward, E-1, page 21, family 218, lines 44-46, http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=60735&highlight=44&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Robert+O%27Brien.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLK4-VZ6 : accessed 21 Apr 2014), Robert Stuart Brock O’Brian, 21 Sep 1907; citing Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13085, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1927113.
“United States Deceased Physician File (AMA), 1864-1968”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W6W4-5J2M : 8 September 2019), Robert S B O’Brien, 1907.
“United States Deceased Physician File (AMA), 1864-1968”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CR1B-ZNT2 : 4 April 2020), Robert S B O’Brien, 1907.
Eugenia Sarah McLean (mother of Clarence McLean O’Brian)
Eugenia Sarah Maclean (30 March 1857 – 3 September 1927); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCDQ-VNL.
“Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMNN-92T : 11 March 2018), R S B O’Brian and Eugenia Sarah Mc Lean, 10 Aug 1877; citing registration , Whitby, Ontario, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,863,649.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVK-HQ3 : 16 December 2019), Juannie O’brien in household of Robert O’brien, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 21, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
Social and Personal, Vancouver Province, February 27, 1913, page 7: “Mrs. O’Brien, who has arrived in town to attend the marriage of her son, Mr. C. M. O’Brien, is staying at Glencoe Lodge. Mr. Campbell Brady, of Golden, who is to be best man at the wedding, is expected to reach the city this week.”
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL2X-PMY : accessed 21 Apr 2014), Eugenia O’Brian, 03 Sep 1927; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13131, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1927350.
Clarence McLean O’Brian
Clarence Maclean O’Brian, Who’s Who in Western Canada, 1911, page 299.
Clarence MacLean O’Brian, British Columbia From the Earliest Times to the Present, Volume 3, pages 535-536;
https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbiaf00schouoft#page/535/mode/1up;
https://archive.org/stream/britishcolumbiaf00schouoft#page/536/mode/1up.
Clarence MacLean O’Brian, Northern Who’s Who (Who’s Who and Why), 1916, page 627, https://archive.org/stream/northernwhoswhob01park#page/627/mode/1up.
Clarence MacLean O’Brian, Who’s Who and Why, 1917-1918, page 700.
Ancestry.com. Quebec, Canada, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2008. Institut Généalogique Drouin; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Drouin Collection; Author: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Name: Robert Clarence McLean O’Brian; Event Type: Baptême (Baptism); Baptism Date: 1880; Baptism Place: Grenville, Québec (Quebec); Place of Worship or Institution: Presbyterian Church voir St-Philippe aussi; Religion: Presbyterian.
“Canada Census, 1881,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MVV9-SNM : accessed 21 Apr 2014), Clarence O’Brian in household of Robert O’Brian, Grenville (Village), Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada; citing p. 7; Library and Archives Canada film number C-13224, Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 1375860.
“Canada Census, 1891,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKQ-ZNP : 3 August 2016), Clarence O’Brien, Victoria City Johnson Street Ward, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148094.
“Canada Census, 1901,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHV2-3LN : 16 December 2019), Clarena Brian in household of Sarah M Luck, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; citing p. 26, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa [possible connection].
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-9SLY : 16 March 2018), Clarence M O’Brian in entry for Gordon Hunt, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.
1911 Census of Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver, 7 Vancouver City, page 23, family 140, line 33; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63905&highlight=33&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Clarence+M.+O%27Brian.
Social and Personal, Vancouver Province, February 27, 1913, page 7: “The marriage of Miss Dorothy Tunstall and Mr. C. M. O’Brien will take place in Christ Church next Tuesday at 1:30 o’clock.”
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZV-68D : accessed 20 Apr 2014), Clarence Maclean O’Brian and Dorothy Ella Tunstall, 04 Mar 1913; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11377, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1983705.
“On Dit,” Vancouver Sun, September 1, 1913, page 8: “Mr. and Mrs. Clarence O’Brien have just returned from a trout fishing excursion to the Campbell river district.”
Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013. Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, 2013. Series RG31. Statistics Canada Fonds. Name: Clarence O’Brien; Gender: Male; Racial or Tribal Origin: Scotch (Scotish); Nationality: Canada; Marital status: Married; Age: 41; Birth Year: abt 1880; Birth Place: Ontario; Residence Date: 1 Jun 1921; House Number: 37; Residence Street or Township: 2001 Comox St; Residence City, Town or Village: Vancouver; Residence District: Vancouver Centre; Residence Province or Territory: British Columbia; Residence Country: Canada; Relation to Head of House: Head; Spouse’s name: Dorothy O’Brien; Father Birth Place: Ontario; Mother Birth Place: Ontario; Can Speak English?: Yes; Can Speak French?: Yes; Religion: Presbyterian; Can Read?: Yes; Can Write?: Yes; Occupation: Barrister; Employment Type: Own Account 3; Nature of Work: Own office; Municipality: Vancouver; Enumeration District: 22; Sub-District: Ward 1; Sub-District Number: 35; Home Owned or Rented: Rented; Monthly Rental: 85; Class of House: Single House; Materials of Construction: Wood; Number of Rooms: 12; Enumerator: Harry Wyse; Line Number: 42; Family Number: 64; Household Members: Clarence O’Brien: 41; Dorothy O’Brien: 31; Peter D O’Brien: 45; Edith Hins: 22. [Note: street address may be 2001 Nelson Street. Vancouver directories give 2001 Nelson Street as the address from 1921 to 1925. The address of 2001 Comox Street does not normally appear anywhere else. The smallest number in the 2000 block of Comox Street was 2005 Comox.]
“O’Brian New Treasurer of B.C. Law Society,” Vancouver Province, July 4, 1947, page 2. [Similar article, Vancouver Sun, July 4, 1947, page 2.]
Clarence M. O’Brian, The Advocate, (1953), Volume 11, page 233 (includes photograph of Clarence M. O’Brian).
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLYL-TB8 : accessed 20 Apr 2014), Clarence Maclean O’Brian, 01 Apr 1971; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13309, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2034217.
“Memorial service today for C. M. O’Brian, K.C.,” Vancouver Province, April 3, 1971, page 12.
Clarence MacLean O’Brian, death notice, Vancouver Province, April 2, 1971, page 30; Vancouver Sun, April 2, 1971, page 37.
Nos Disparus, The Advocate (1971), Volume 29, pages 337-338, “Clarence MacLean O’Brien, Q.C.”
Dorothy Ella Tunstall (wife of Clarence McLean O’Brian)
“British Columbia Birth Registrations, 1854-1903,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZD-QW5 : accessed 20 Apr 2014), Ella Dorothy Marpole, 02 Aug 1889; citing British Columbia Archives film number B13809, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2114717.
“Canada, Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLR5-BG4 : accessed 20 Apr 2014), Ella Dorothy Warpole Tunstall, 02 Aug 1889; citing British Columbia, Canada, 02 Aug 1889, reference ; FHL microfilm 2114717.
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922”, index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/2HGR-MSZ : accessed 20 Apr 2014), Dorothy Tunstall, 1909.
Social and Personal, Vancouver Province, December 28, 1912, page 8: “Mrs. S. J. Tunstall announces the engagement of her daughter, Dorothy Ella, to Mr. Clarence McLean O’Brian. The marriage will take place during the latter part of February.”
“On Dit,” Vancouver Sun, February 28, 1913, page 7: “The marriage of Miss Dorothy Tunstall and Mr. C.M. O’Brien will take place in Christ church next Tuesday at 1:30 o’clock. Mrs. O’Brien, who has come to Vancouver to attend the marriage of her son, is a guest at Glencoe lodge. Mrs. Campbell Brady, of Golden, who will attend the bridegroom, is expected to reach the city this week.”
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLYH-J7T : accessed 20 Apr 2014), Dorothy Ella O’Brian, 26 Sep 1969; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13299, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2034110.
Dorothy E. O’Brian, death notice, Vancouver Province, September 29, 1969, page 27: “O’Brian – Passed away peaceably September 27, 1969, Dorothy E. O’Brian, in her 81st year. Survived by her loving husband, Clarence MacLean O’Brian, Q.C.; 1 son, Peter Douglas; daughter-in-law, Frances Mary; 1 sister, Mrs. Janet Sankey; 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, all of Vancouver. Funeral service Tuesday, September 320, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 2490 W. 37th Ave., the Rev. George Kelly officiating. Nunn & Thomson in charge of arrangements.”
Peter Douglas O’Brian (son of Clarence McLean O’Brian)
British Columbia Marriage Registrations; Registration Number: 1939-09-469957; Peter Douglas O’Brian and Frances Mary Covernton; date of marriage: February 2, 1939; place of marriage: New Westminster.
Peter Douglas O’Brian, Sub-Lieut., The Advocate (1945), volume 3, page 60.
Frances Mary Covernton (wife of Peter Douglas O’Brian)
British Columbia Marriage Registrations; Registration Number: 1939-09-469957; Peter Douglas O’Brian and Frances Mary Covernton; date of marriage: February 2, 1939; place of marriage: New Westminster.
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