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QUINN, PATRICK JOSEPH - Ireland has given the United States some brilliant statesmen, and reliable business men. There is something in the character of an Irishman that wins friends, and when he also possesses excellent business judgment his success is assured. A representative of the genial, popular son of Erin, whose home has been in Springfield since 1881, is Patrick Joseph Quinn. Mr. Quinn was born in County Mayo, March 12, 1861, a son of Patrick and Ann (Morrissoe) Quinn, both of whom were also born in County Mayo. There they married and spent their lives, the father dying in 1896 and the mother surviving until 1905. He was a farmer all his life and a hard-working man. He and his wife were Catholics and brought up their three sons and four daughters in the same faith. One daughter is now deceased and two sons and two daughters came to the United States.

Patrick Joseph Quinn arrived in America in 1881, coming direct to Springfield. He had received a fair common-school education in Ballaghadereen, Ireland, leaving school when sixteen years old to help his father on the farm. When he arrived at Springfield, however, he did not engage in agricultural work, but obtained employment in the watch factory. He also worked in the rolling mills and in the parks, finally, in 1904, embarking in his present business.

Independent in politics, Mr. Quinn gives his support to men and the measures, rather than to any particular party. He has never aspired to public office, but is liberal in his support of charities and movements he believes will work out for the ultimate good of the community. Mr. Quinn belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and is a consistent and liberal supporter of St. Agnes Catholic Church, to which he belongs. On June 26, 1889, Mr. Quinn was married to Mary Tobin, born in County Waterford, Ireland, daughter of William and Bridget (Flynn) Tobin of the same county. They came to America about 1872, when Mrs. Quinn was five years old. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Quinn, but only three survive: William, who is with the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Anna, at home was educated at St. Agnes School and the Ursuline Convent; and Bernardine, also at home. Mr. Quinn has accumulated considerable property in Springfield, and has displayed his confidence in the future of the city by thus largely investing.