REGISTER OF
OLD SETTLERS
BOOK ONE
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MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF | |
Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 94
submitted by Ronna Thuman, November 14, 2007
OBITUARY. MR. LOUIS QUINN was born about ten miles from the city of Dublin, Ireland, Oct. 2, 1834. He died last Tuesday morning, Sept. 23, 1879. His age, therefore, at death was 44 years, 11 months and 21 days.
His father’s family came to America when he was about two years of age, and settled in Waterloo, near Connersville, Indiana. From their they moved to Muscatine, Iowa, 1843. In that city he began his business life, in a store for general merchandise, with his oldest brother, James. He afterward went to Washington, in this state, into the grocery business with another brother, John, also older than himself. Later still, he prosecuted the same business in Boonsboro, for ten years, and then came to Vinton in the spring of 1865, 14 ˝ years ago.
His remarkable business career virtually closed in our midst two years ago next November, when on account of failing health, he was compelled to leave the store. I called his business life “remarkable” because of the energy, industry and skill, which characterized it, and the success which continually crowned it. I take great pleasure in saying that he was regarded as one of the very best business men of Vinton. Such is the universal testimony of the business men themselves; such also is the estimation of his many former customers and others who have known or had business relations with him.
Some years ago I sat at a hotel table in a neighboring city, and entered into conversation with a gentleman sitting near me. He said that Mr. Quinn was one of the best business men he knew. A commercial traveler, who repeatedly met him, said that Mr. Quinn could do three times as much work as any man he ever saw. He, with his brother, has thus built up a large business in our midst, which remains after him. He has also done much for the general commercial prosperity of the town. His store, his beautiful home and the many public improvements which he has assisted to make, stand as monuments to his industry, skill, taste and public spirit. But it is not simply as a diligent and industrious worker that I would commend him. He was strictly honorable in all his relations. All who knew him will bear witness to this. He was also a cheerful man. In the days of his health he continually attracted his friends to him, and delighted them with the sunlight of his incessant humor. He was a very kindhearted man; kind to all about him, in his home and everywhere. It would pain him, sometimes even to the shedding of tears, strong man that he was, if he found that he had wounded some one’s feelings.
He was married, Feb. 14, 1860, to her who, after a happy married life of nearly 20 years, and after an unwearying devotion dur the years of his sickness, now with the sympathy of all her friends and the whole community, mourns his untimely death. He has also parted, by death, with his former wife; with his father who died 35 years ago and with four brothers. He made a public profession of religion and joined the Methodist Episcopal church, in Washington, Iowa, in 1862, (17) years ago, and since that time has given freely to the church, of his means, his time and his counsel. For many years, and until his sickness, he has been upon the official board of the Methodist church in our midst. During his illness perhaps his chief enjoyment has been his attendance upon on public worships. The ringing of the church bell has been a peculiarly welcome sound to his ear. We may hope that the summons of the Master in his death was for more welcome, as it called him into the higher services and joys of the great congregation, who worship even in the visible presence of the Almighty Throne. We will think of him, henceforth as one of the numbered multitude, described in the glowing Book of Revelation, with white robes, golden crowns and harps, palms of victory, unending joys and enraptured use of every immortal power.
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