O'Brien Brothers Family History

The O'Brien Family settled in South Burlington in the 1880's. Grandfather Daniel and his wife Bridget were the early settlers. Dan was in the livestock business and was also interested in the well being of his community and the State of Vermont. He held many town offices and served nine times in the state legislature prior to his death in 1929.

 

The livestock business was taken over by his youngest son, Leo Sr. Leo expanded the business to include dairy farming and real estate investments. Leo Sr. also was very interested in his community and state serving on many boards and commissions. Following Leo Sr. death in 1957, Leo's two sons, Leo Jr. and Daniel J continued to operate the livestock and dairy farming business under the name of O'Brien Brothers, a Vermont Partnership. In the late 1950's and 60's the Vermont Economy was rapidly changing, small Vermont dairy farms were going out of business and taking jobs in the manufacturing sector, which was starting to improve with the arrival of IBM in the greater Burlington area. Recognizing this change, Dan and Leo opened a formal real estate office in 1958 under the name of O'Brien Brothers Agency.

In 1979 the O'Brien Brothers completed their first of five federally subsidized section 8 housing projects consisting of 221 rental apartments. They were also permitting and developing residential and commercial properties in the greater Burlington area. Several of these properties have received awards from the Vermont Homebuilders Association for "Best Subdivision" and the "Environmental Excellence Award" on two different occasions. Continuing the O'Brien Family Tradition, Dan and Leo have served on many local state and national boards and commissions. Both brothers continue to live in South Burlington where they have raised their respective families, Leo, six children and Dan, five children.

Today, Dan's daughter Stephanie is currently involved in the day-to-day operations of O'Brien Brothers Agency and its subsidiaries.