Gilbert, Frank T.  "Historic Sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia and
Garfield Counties, Washington Territory; and Umatilla County, Oregon." Portland,
OR: Print & Lithographing House of A.  G.  Walling, 1882.  p. a31.

THOMAS QUINN

	of Walla Walla City, is a man whom nature fitted, in her happy mood, with a
combination of qualities that could hardly fail to guide its possessor to
success, qualities that especially fit him to deal with men.  With manners
suave, a disposition to accommodate, and generous promptings towards his
fellows, he greets the stranger, the customer, or the friend in that peculiar
way which carries with it an impression of a kind wish implied, which seldom
fails to leave a desire with the recipient to do him a favor if he can.  It is a
happy faculty, this, and it gives the possessor what lie deserves, a friendship
and respect among men that is limited only by the extent of his acquaintance.
This is not flattery, it is only and expression by the writer of his knowledge
of that man, who, here in the city where he resides, has made his way by
industry and application to business, in eighteen years, from poverty to wealth.
Mr. Quinn, whose ancestors were from the Emerald Isle, was born in Canada West,
March 7, 1838.  At sixteen he was apprenticed to the saddlery and harness trade
that he completed in Ottawa, Canada, four years later, when he started
merchandising in that city for himself.  In 1864 he crossed the continent, and
after stopping for a few months in San Francisco reached Walla Walla City that
year.  Upon his arrival here he entered the employ of J.  D.  Cook for whom he
worked at his trade for two years, when he became a partner in the business.
Four years later he became, and has since remained, sole proprietor of the
establishment, that under his management has grown to vast proportions for a
retail business.  His average stock of harness, saddles, etc.  will reach $15,
000, and he now employs some ten workmen in manufacturing such goods as he does
not purchase ready matte.  His business block--a sketch of which accompanies
this work would be a credit to any city.  His home, to be seen on the same page,
is soon to be replaced by a more elegant one that his prosperity warrants him
now in building.
	In 1868, May 7, he was married in Walla Walla to Miss Clara T.  Paris, a
native of France, and the dates of birth and names of their children are as
follows : J.  E., March 29, 1869; died September 19, 1871 ; Theresa, January 11,
1871 ; T.  E., January 21, 1873 ; Katherine, November 25, 1875, died October 6,
1876 ; J.  E., May 31, 1878; William, August 16, 1881.  It is a fortunate
locality that reckons among its citizens such men as the subject of this sketch,
D.  S.  Baker, Wm.  Kirkman, R.  R.  Rees, Miles C.  Moore, Dr. N.  G.  Blalock,
and a few others living in the city, for the country where they live can never
stagnate.

* * * *

Submitted to the WA.  Bios Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith.

Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.