WILLIAM QUINN

Santa Clara County

Biographies

WILLIAM QUINN

WILLIAM QUINN. Representative of that class of Irishmen who have materially contributed to the upbuilding of the west is William Quinn, who came to California in 1853, and from obscurity and comparative poverty has risen to prominence as a large land owner and successful farmer, dairyman and horticulturist. Mr. Quinn is the only survivor, and next to the youngest in a family of eight children reared on a farm in County Tyrone, Ireland, where his father, Owen, was so fortunate as to own rather than rent his land. He was born January 12, 1828, and while still a little lad his mother died, and the resources of the small property were severely taxed to support all of the children. He was energetic and willing, and seeing few opportunities before him in his native land, started out on his own responsibility at the age of fourteen, embarking in a sailing vessel, and arriving in New York after a tedious ocean voyage. To the boy with a good constitution and plenty of perseverance all things seemed possible, and having a liking for mechanics, he apprenticed to a blacksmith in Pittsburg, Pa., soon afterward, however, abandoning his trade in favor of teaming. A few years were spent in flat boating coal down the river to New Orleans, and all the time he lived frugally and within his income, laying up his small wages for any larger opportunity which should chance to come his way.

In 1853 Mr. Quinn invested his money in a ticket to Panama and San Francisco, and upon arriving at his destination found employment at driving a dray and working in a cattle barn. In July, 1853, he went to San Mateo county and took charge of a hotel and stable, and in 1856 engaged in a dairy business in the same county, getting his first actual start in the west. During 1856-57 he sold butter at $1 and $1.25 a pound, and upon disposing of his business came to San Jose in 1858 and bought his present farm, then consisting of five hundred acres on Coyote creek, two and a half miles south of San Jose. For years he was one of the most extensive stock-raisers and general farmers in this section, but latterly has disposed of a large part of his original farm, which now consists of one hundred and five acres. Of this, fifty-two acres are under orchard, including twenty acres under prunes, twelve under apricots, and the balance under peaches and pears. Many fine improvements attest the progressiveness and thrift of the owner, among them being excellent barns and outhouses, neat fences, a comfortable and commodious residence, and practical agricultural implements. In Alameda county Mr. Quinn owns a stock ranch of eight hundred and sixty-five acres near Haywards, upon which graze three hundred head of cattle, and which is under the management of his son Daniel. Besides Daniel, who inherits his father’s business ability and resourcefulness, there are four daughters in the family, the mother of these children being Bedelia (Lemmon) Quinn, who was born in Ireland, and who is now a sweet faced woman, grown old amid the love of her appreciative children and the tender care of her devoted husband. Mr. Quinn has never sought prominence in local politics, but has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Historical Society of Santa Clara county, and is one of the county’s well posted and influential citizens.

Transcribed by Marie Hassard 12 November 2015.

Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 872-873. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.

Santa Clara Biography

Golden Nugget Library