Philip O’Leary was born about 1867 in Canada and was one of the leading businessmen of the town for several decades. O’Leary came to Bemidji in 1898 and opened a general store together with W. N. Bowser. The two gentlemen retired in 1909 although their store continued in a new brick block under the corporation name of O’Leary-Bowser Corp. This block still bears a cement “banner” with the dates 1909 at 202 Third Street. About 20 years later, it was known as the Suman Block.
P.J. O’Leary married Nellie Doran at Bemidji on Jan 10, 1900. Nellie Doran was the daughter of James Doran, also one of the pioneers of Bemidji.
Excavation has begun for two new elegant residences on the corner of Minnesota avenue and Eighth Street. The firm of O’Leary & Bowser will each construct one there. (Aug 22, 1901)
The O’Leary residence was at 716 Minnesota Avenue. The lots [lots 21 & 22 of Block 2] were purchased by Nellie O’Leary from the Bemidji Townsite Co. on April 7, 1902. The O’Leary family lived in this house until his death in 1929 in California. Mrs. O’Leary and her son Arthur, a county engineer, moved to 722 Minnesota Avenue after Mr. O’Leary’s death. Mrs. O’Leary died Dec 20, 1946.