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QUINN, EDWARD - The agricultural States have always offered attractive opportunities for farmers, and none more than Illinois. During the 'fifties and 'sixties the tide of emigration brought with it many sturdy, industrious, hard-working men from more eastern States and they remained, becoming well-to-do through cultivating the land they secured before it attained its present high value. One of the men who was far-sighted enough to appreciate the fact that in this State he could obtain something worth while from his work is Edward Quinn, now living retired in Springfield. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in May, 1836, being a son of Patrick and Mary (McHugh) Quinn, both of Ireland. The father was a farmer, and he and his wife never came to America, but died in their native land. He passed away in young manhood, leaving a widow and three sons and three daughters, of whom Edward Quinn was the youngest and is the only survivor.
After a boyhood spent according to the customs of his time and country, Mr. Quinn came to this country in 1854. He had helped his father on the farm, and proven himself a good son, so that when he landed in Philadelphia, on May 16th, he found ready employment, for he had learned obedience to his employers, and how to give fair measure for the wages paid him. Four years later he left Philadelphia, coming west to Morgan County, where he resumed his farming work. In 1862 he located in Sangamon County, which has since continued to be his home. He rented eight acres and this he made his home until 1900, when he retired to Springfield.
Mr. Quinn was married in Springfield, in November, 1880, to Anna McCool, born in Donegal, Ireland, whose parents never left their native land, dying there. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Quinn; Frank J., manager of a large shirt and overall factory of Cairo, Ill., resides in that city; and May A., in the employ of the Stevens Dry Goods Company, resides at home. There is one grandchild in the family. Mr. Quinn knew the lamented Abraham Lincoln and is proud of the fact. He owns his well-kept home at No. 610 West Capitol Avenue, as well as other city realty, and is in comfortable circumstances. In political faith he is a Democrat. A strong Roman Catholic, he is connected with St. Agnes Parish, and is one of its liberal supporters. Kind-hearted, genial, and an excellent type of the best class of his countrymen, Mr. Quinn has many warm friends and holds the confidence of his associates.