Sacramento Valley Biographies

ISAAC QUINN

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, June 2009.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

         Poverty and privations marked the early years of Mr. Quinn, as his
parents struggled to eke out a scanty existence from the worn-out soil of an
Irish farm. The associations of his boyhood were with that part of Ireland
in and near the city of Belfast, where he was born in 1837, and such
educational as he had (limited at the most) were gained in the national
schools at that point. Weary of the fruitless struggle against want in the
midst of depressing conditions, as soon as he attained his majority he
crossed the ocean to seek a livelihood in the most hospitable land of
America. During the fall of 1858 he landed in the harbor of New York. The
first employment he secured was that of farm laborer in St. Lawrence county,
N. Y. About that time he began to hear much concerning the  climate and
possibilities of the region beyond the Rocky mountains, and these reports
led him to locate in California, the voyage hither being made in 1860 by way
of Panama.

       Arriving in Yolo county without means, Mr. Quinn at once looked about
him for employment, and was fortunate in securing work as a ranch laborer by
the month. This occupation he followed from 1860 to 1880, meanwhile
carefully hoarding his earnings until finally he felt justified in investing
in property. It was during 1880 that he bought one hundred and sixty acres
nine miles northwest of Davisville. The land was in its primeval condition.
No attempt had been made at improvement. However, under his persevering
labors the place has been converted into a pleasant ranch, with a neat house
and the necessary buildings for the shelter of stock and storage of
machinery. On this ranch he has since made his home, and during 1903 he
added to its acreage by the purchase of a quarter section directly across
the road. The raising of grain is his specialty, but he has interests in
every department of general ranching.

      The marriage of Mr. Quinn was solemnized February 22, 1877, and united
him with Miss Mary Riordan, who was born in Boston, Mass., May 25, 1850.
During her childhood years she came to California in company with her
father, Maurice Riordan, who is now a retired rancher living in Woodland,
Yolo county. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Quinn comprises the following
children: Katie, wife of George Dalton, living in this neighborhood;
Elizabeth, Lottie, George, Agnes, Annie and Walter, all of whom remain with
their parents on the homestead. While Mr. Quinn has voted the Democratic
ticket in national elections ever since becoming an American citizen, he is
independent in local matters and gives his support to the men whom he
considers best qualified to serve the people in their respective offices.
His own lack of educational advantages has made him realize the inestimable
importance of systematic training under capable teachers, and during his
service for the past fourteen years as school trustee he has endeavored to
promote the welfare of the school of his district and increase its value as
a place of instruction for the young.

"History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the
Sacramento Valley, Cal.," J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Company,
Chicago, 1906, Page 527.