USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 22
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Mr. Touhy has always and unalterably been Democratic in his political views; he is a great admirer of the personality and the abilities of William Jennings Bryan, the late Presidential candi- date. Active in politics, he has filled a number of village offices, and in social as well as political circles has been very prominent.
At the breaking out of the late war, when troops were called for by his adopted country, he was one of the first to respond. He succeeded in making himself one of the most valued members of that brave Irish regiment, the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers, and from the ranks rose step by step until on his retirement he held the position of Captain.
Mr. and Mrs. Touhy have had ten children, of whom six are living. The death of the eldest, Edmond Rogers Touhy, just as he was making a name for himself, was a terrible blow to his parents. He was a very promising young man and a graduate of the North- western University and the Union College of Law, having for some time studied law in the office of W. J. Hynes, he had entered into a partnership with John S. Hunter, under the firm name of Hunter & Touhy. His progress in the profession was rapid in the extreme,
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and up to the time of his death, no case entrusted to him had been lost. Mabel Rogers Touhy, the oldest daughter, is a bright and clever young lady who has just finished her education at the Lo- retta Academy, at East St. Louis, where she has developed great ability as an artist. Stephen Rogers Touhy, a graduate of the Evanston High School, seems predestined to be the business repre- sentative of the family.
Captain Patrick L. Touhy is a splendid specimen of the large- hearted, generous-souled Irishman, his hand and his purse ever ready to respond to any just charitable call. His circle of friends is a large one, and the distinguishing characteristic of his nature -- genial hospitality-finds generous outcome in the frequent gather- ings at his very charming home.
EDMUND F. RYAN.
A passionate craving for liberty, an eternal hatred of oppres- sion, and a never dying scorn for the oppressors, have been the chief causes tending towards Ireland's rich contributions of phys- ical power and mental activity to the mercantile and the profes- sional classes of the great West. Our city, perhaps, possesses more than its proper share of this, the best element of the old land across the seas. It would be difficult to find a better example of the type mentioned than the subject of this sketch, Edmund F. Ryan.
He is a young man, but his career is not wanting in strange scenes and moving incidents. He was born in 1862 in the County of Limerick so beautiful. His father, Thomas Ryan, and his
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mother, formerly Eliza Frewen Ryan, a member of one of the most respected and influential families in the south of Ireland, spent all their lives in the County of Limerick.
He received his early education in the public school of Oola, and demonstrated his capacity and desire for instruction by ad- vancing in one year from the lowest to the most advanced class, being pronounced the most promising pupil who had ever attended the school. The study of the classics was with him a most absorb- ing one, and here he had the benefit of early training from Profes- sor Weir.
His schooling over, the bright young Irishman, nurtured on patriotism and fired with enthusiastic love for his suffering coun- try, at once interested himself in the Parnell Movement, which was at that time exercising every active Irishman's mind. For six years he held the position of Secretary of Pallast-Green Branch of the Irish National League. Upon several occasions his political affilia- tions and known nationalistic views brought him into trouble, and he was subjected to prosecution. Able counsel proffered him every assistance, but he absolutely refused to burden it with what he chose to consider his personal affairs. He therefore fought his own cases, and, in each, victory crowned his efforts.
Continual prosecution not merely embitters life, it renders it wholly unsupportable. Young Ryan therefore sought new condi- tions and a freer portion of that gift of God to all men-air to breathe. He came to Chicago in October, 1887, and three months later found employment in the assessor's department of the water office of the city. Here he remained for two years, studying law in his leisure hours. He joined the Chicago College of Law, gradu- ated in 1890, and was admitted to the bar. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Lake Forest University, and then com- menced to practice.
With a decided preference to keep the whole credit for his good
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legal services, rather than to work in connection with another firm or to accept a partner, he removed to the Hartford Building, in 1896, where he transacts all branches of his chosen profession. An able speaker, a sound reasoner, and at all times acquainting himself with every detail of his cases, he is sure of a brilliant posi- tion among the lawyers of the West.
He has never sought any prominence in political circles. A Democrat in local politics, so far as national affairs are concerned he is a strong protectionist.
Still a bachelor, Mr. Ryan finds time in addition to his profes- sional labors to interest himself in a number of mechanical projects, among which may be mentioned an automatic telephone register; and he is also a large stockholder in a charter for a number of pat- ents connected with mining machinery, from which excellent re- turns are anticipated.
JAMES ANTHONY PRINTY, M. D.
James Anthony Printy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 7th, 1856. His father, Edward Printy, who had been a prominent farmer of Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, and had married Cath- erine Walsh, came to the United States from Ireland about the year 1851, settling near Cincinnati. Here they lived for fifteen years and then moved to Imogene, Iowa, where, having raised a family of eight sons and a daughter, they still remain, honored and respected by the whole community.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Cin- cinnati, and later the Malvern, Iowa, Academy, and the Taber,
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Iowa, College; finally graduating at the Iowa State University in 1882. Immediately afterwards Dr. Printy located at Imogene and took up the practice of his profession for four years, but being of the opinion that if he would attain the position in his profession to which he aspired, he should attend a post graduate course, he went to New York and there for one year studied surgery and particu- larly the diseases of women at the New York hospitals and Post Graduate school. He then returned to Imogene, and practiced there for one year, when returning to New York he was married November, 1888, to Miss Allie Weir, and at once returned west, having definitely decided to permanently locate in Chicago.
Here his success has been rapid, for his special skill and high professional qualities quickly made themselves apparent, and he was called upon to fill many important positions. In 1890 he was elected on the medical staff of Cook County Hospital; in 1894 he was elected dean and professor of surgical diseases of women of the National Medical College of Chicago. This latter position he held for five years, resigning in the spring of 1896, as he was un- able to devote the necessary time from his large and rapidly in- creasing practice.
The Doctor is in his religious views a Roman Catholic and be- longs to the congregation of Mount Carmel Church. In politics he is a Democrat and has full faith in the good outcome of the free silver movement under the leadership of Mr. Bryan.
Dr. Printy is extremely fond of old and rare books and pos- sesses one of the most valuable collections in this city. In Irish books his library. is particularly rich, and there are few superior in the country, for in addition to the almost complete library left by the late Dr. Cronin he has recently purchased part of the fine collection of the late Dr. Clark. He possesses also a splendid col- lection of pictures and to which he is constantly adding. For fine horses the Doctor has also great inclination, gratified by him to the
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extent of several splendid specimens, one fine animal of Arabian descent, a thoroughbred runner, being considered by many to be one of the most beautiful horses in America. He also has a Wilkes mare of trotting fame, a very fine road horse, as well as two splen- did saddle horses.
What time he can spare from his professional duties and the charms of his own home-where two bright and charming chil- dren, a boy and a girl, gladden their parents' lives-is given to the Oconto Club, a select social organization of the north side.
Dr. Printy is a man of most interesting personality, in appear- ance very distinguished, of kindly manner, and at all times and under all circumstances most affable and pleasant. The large prac- tice he has gained and the position he has won are the unques- tionable result of his individual and untiring work. He does at once honor to our city, to the great land that gave his father a home, and to the old land across the seas.
JAMES F. QUINN.
James F. Quinn, the ex-State Representative of the old Fourth District, died May 18th, 1896, and before he had attained his forti- eth year. He was a member of the loyal "101" band, and had proven himself a most honorable and useful representative, his pre- mature death consequently cutting short a career that promised great things for himself and for his country, and being a cause of deep and sincere regret to a host of friends and admirers.
Mr. Quinn was born of Irish parentage in St. Louis, July 28th,
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1856, and in that city he passed his youth and received his early education. From the University of St. Louis he was transferred to Notre Dame University, and later on, at the age of nineteen, he graduated from the Indiana institution of learning, immediately afterward coming to Chicago. Having served a short apprentice- ship at stone cutting, he became a most expert and efficient work- man, and for many years was employed by the Department of Pub- lic Works. He was superintendent of the stone construction of the four mile crib, of the north side water works, the Taylor Street viaduct, and of the Harrison Street pumping station. Most suc- cessful as Mr. Quinn was in the trade he had chosen, and though reaping therefrom substantial rewards, no more popular man ex- isted in the Fourth District than he. Quite early in his career he had taken part in local labor circles, was a fluent talker, and at all times a pleasant companion and a good friend.
In 1884 Mr. Quinn became more especially interested in public matters, and from that period his whole time was devoted to poli- tics. In this year he received the Democratic nomination for the Legislature in the old Fourth District and was elected, and in 1888 was re-elected by a good majority. Two years later he was again re-elected, after a hot fight with the opposing candidate. Before the end of his latter term he was attacked with dementia, and his confinement in the Elgin Asylum necessitated. His record in the State Legislature gave great promise, and resolutions of regret were passed by both houses when the young Representative was so suddenly incapacitated.
Mr. Quinn was mainly instrumental in passing the Convict Labor Bill, which passed both houses but was afterwards defeated by a vote of the people, possibly from a general misunderstanding as to the import and intent of the bill. He was also very active in supporting the bill for the new Public Library. When, in 1890, John M. Palmer was candidate for Senator, Mr. Quinn was one of
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his most active supporters, and, as has been mentioned, was one of the old guard of "101" who stood out for Palmer and finally was successful in electing. Mr. Quinn's success in business and his brief but brilliant career in politics have been referred to, and also his kindly disposition, which won for him such general popularity. This kindliness was exhibited both in his social and commercial habits, and evinced an innate goodness of heart which would hardly allow him to pass a child in the street without some gentle word, and by his immediate household, it is almost needless to add, he was held in the tenderest affection.
In 1885 Mr. Quinn was married to Mary E. Healy, of Convoy, Ohio, a lady who proved to him a most affectionate and helpful partner and whose disposition was eminently suited to the varied gifts of the young and honestly ambitious politician. In his re- ligious views he was a devout Roman Catholic.
DANIEL B. QUINLAN.
Daniel B. Quinlan was born on a farm in Kane County, Ill., November 26th, 1851. His father was Daniel Quinlan, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, who moved to New Haven, Conn., about the year 1830, there marrying Julia Gleason, also from Tipperary, who became the mother of the subject of this sketch. They moved to Illinois about 1842 and settled on a farm in Kane County, near Elgin, where they lived until 1861 when they moved to Chicago. The elder Quinlan was much respected in the section where he lived for his many good qualities of mind and heart; he died in Chicago in 1877. His wife, who died in 1857, had several brothers
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who distinguished themselves in this country, one notably, Capt. Mike Gleason, who commanded a company of Gen. Mulligan's Irish Brigade during the war and made an honorable record.
The subject of this sketch came to Chicago with his parents when he was ten years of age. He received his education in the public and parochial schools of the French Church, leaving at the age of sixteen and finding employment with the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy R. R. Co., first as a boy and then as brakeman, bag- gageman, and conductor. In 1871, when he was twenty years of age, he was promoted to the position of traveling passenger agent, and as such he traveled all over the West for two years, being then (in 1874) further promoted to the very responsible position of city passenger agent for Chicago. This position he retained until 1880, when the Union Pacific R. R. Co. invited him to take charge of the passenger business of its line in the Northwest States. This he accepted and retained until January 1st, 1882, when the same road offered him the position of passenger manager for the East- ern district. Mr. Quinlan held this position for two years, traveling over the East, but the absence of all domestic comfort in a life which required him to be on the road all the time then induced him to seek for some other occupation. Mr. Quinlan decided to engage in the undertaking business, and in that has remained ever since. He has been unusually successful, having conducted some of the largest funerals which have taken place in this city. That his business qualifications are of the highest description, that un- varied success conclusively shows. At the time of the war he was very anxious to take his part, but was refused on the score of his extreme youth.
Mr. Quinlan was married, September 29th, 1881, to Katherine C. Linehan, a member of one of the prominent families of Dubuque, Iowa, where her father was a leading merchant and her brother a District Judge.
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He is very prominent in the Catholic Order of Foresters, in which he has gone through all the offices; the Independent Order of Foresters; the Undertakers' Association; National Union; and he is also a member of the Sheridan Club. He is a Roman Catholic and belongs to the congregation of St. James' Church. In politics he is an upholder of the Democratic party, but he takes little in- terest except the candidate be a personal friend, when he uses his considerable influence to help his return.
Daniel B. Quinlan is a man of fine personal appearance and of most pleasing and courteous manner. He is esteemed and respected by a host of faithful friends for his good personal gifts, as well as for the energetic application and honorable methods to which alone he attributes his business success.
THOMAS FRANCIS SHERIDAN.
Thomas Francis Sheridan was born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, June 1st, 1859, and is the son of Thomas Sheridan, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and Julia (Keane) Sheridan, the latter being born in England of Irish parentage, and dying when the subject of this sketch was but twelve months old. Thomas Sheri- dan came to America in 1832, when he was fourteen years of age, settling at Bridgeport, Conn., where he still lives in the enjoyment of a vigorous old age.
Thomas F. Sheridan attended the public schools of his native town and later the public schools of New York until he was twelve years old, when the failure of his father in business compelled the boy to go out into the world and make a living for himself.
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During employment somewhat varied in character, his then fixed idea to prepare himself for the profession of mechanical en- gineer still continued, and he attended the evening technical school at Bridgeport. For a time he was with the Waterbury Watch Co., as draughtsman and designer, later, when the Seth Thomas Clock Co. began its operations, entering its employ as machine modeler until 1885. The year following he was offered the position of me- chanical superintendent of the Illinois Watch Co., of Springfield, Ill., and came West. While holding this place, he was reading law by the aid of borrowed books. In the winter of 1891 and 1892 he came to Chicago, quickly found a position in the office of Ban- ning, Banning & Payson, and at the same time entered the Kent Law School, where he took honors both in the junior and senior classes, graduating in May, 1894. On the retirement of Mr. Pay- son in 1893, Mr. Sheridan's abilities found ready recognition in the offer to go into partnership. This accepting, the firm became Ban- ning, Banning & Sheridan, and now stands as high as any firm in the country as patent and corporation lawyers. Mr. Sheridan's education and experience as mechanical engineer makes him especially fitted to understand and try patent cases, and this fact has caused him to be retained by other lawyers in a considerable number of momentous cases. An enthusiastic bicyclist, he is a prominent member of the League of American Wheelmen, and was for some time first vice-president of the association. In this regard, also, his services have been retained in most of the large suits where bicycle patents were involved.
Thomas F. Sheridan has all his life been a Democrat. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Benevolent & Pro- tective Order of Elks. In October, 1886, he was married to Miss Frances Ager of Ansonia, Conn., a daughter of Colonel George S. Ager, who commanded the First Connecticut Artillery during the Civil War. They have one child, Thomas Harold.
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Great sympathy for Ireland and in Irish affairs has at all times been shown by Mr. Sheridan. He believes himself connected with the great Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and in the near future intends to devote a summer vacation to investigation in Ireland what place the Sheridans have taken in that country's history. He is a mem- ber of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the French Society of Mechanical Engineers, and also of the American Society of Me- chanical Engineers.
The habits of his youth still continue, and he is always a very close and hard student, taking a most active interest in all scien- tific subjects, and having already been honored with a number of degrees from various scientific societies.
Thomas F. Sheridan is a young man of splendid personal ap- pearance, of most amiable manner, and of great professional gifts. His entirely unaffected and unassuming ways have endeared him to hundreds with whom his business abilities have made him ac- quainted. The broad ranks of the American Irish of Chicago take pride in numbering in their lists such a pleasing character as the subject of this sketch.
RICHARD QUINN.
Richard Quinn, the young amateur playwright and business man, is a native of Ireland, where he was born, at Ballintarsna, County Tipperary, September 27th, 1865. His father, Francis P. Quinn, was a gentleman farmer of that county, and the subject of this sketch was born in the old homestead that had been in the occupation of the family for over two hundred years. In many
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respects the father was a typical Irish gentleman and had received a liberal education and was a man of cultivated mind and refined tastes. His father had spent most of his fortune, some thousands of pounds, in fighting tithes and other exactions which he consid- ered to be unjust. Richard Quinn's mother, Mary Molloy, is a sis- ter of Rev. Thomas Molloy, the late well known Jesuit. The family, including Richard, came to the United States in 1864 and settled in Chicago.
Richard Quinn was educated at the national schools of his native country and at Holy Cross College, County Kerry. It was intended that he should follow law or medicine, but neither of these professions was in any way congenial, so after coming to Chicago he attended the Athenaeum and other evening schools, with the object of obtaining a more commercial education, with knowledge of shorthand, etc. He also read largely of classic litera- ture and other subjects.
Before coming to America his business career had been begun in Ireland in the dry goods business, first with Messrs. Scott Bros., of Clonmel, and afterward in Cork City. Six months after his ar- rival in this country he entered the employ of Marshall, Field & Co., and there he has since remained. Commenced in the ribbon depart- ment, he later changed to the jewelry, and in that soon advanced to be manager and buyer. His active business life has left him scanty opportunities for outside occupations, but still Mr. Quinn has found time not only to keep up much of his readings, but also to become somewhat of an author himself. Several plays of con- siderable merit, and which have gained much appreciation among amateur theatrical circles, for whom they were intended, were writ- ten by him, and among the most successful may be mentioned: "Glenora," a play descriptive of Irish life and character; "Innis- fail;" "Called Away;" and "Love and Valor."
Mr. Quinn has also achieved as an amateur actor considerable
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reputation in Chicago and the neighboring towns and cities. Hav- ing joined a dramatic club, the members frequently found diffi- culty in obtaining suitable plays, and this proved the incentive for Mr. Quinn to try his hand, or rather, brain, and with his very first effort success and appreciation were met. He is a member of the "Innisfail" Dramatic Club and the Whittier Literary Society. Peri- odically he visits New York and the New England States as buyer for his department.
Mr. Quinn is a Roman Catholic in religious affiliations, and in his political views is a Democrat, but a firm believer in sound money, and cast his vote for William McKinley.
In Mr. Quinn's career there is met with the somewhat unusual circumstance of a young man exhibiting and exercising business talents of a high order, combined with indefatigable industry- speedily rising to be the head of his department-and yet at the same time capable of exercising his genius in a totally different direction and in each of obtaining a marked success, the one at no time leading him to neglect the other.
DAVID JOHN MAHONEY.
David John Mahoney, Assistant Fire Marshal of the Chicago Fire Department, was born June 8th, 1852, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Quincy Street, Chicago, where his father owned some ยท property. Of his parents, William Mahoney, his father, was a na- tive of Cork, by occupation a sailor. He left the old country in . 1843, sailed on the lakes for many years, and at the age of sev-
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enty-five still lives in this city. The Mahoneys are a long lived family, the grandfather of our subject living to be ninety-six years old. William Mahoney had married Norah Hannan, a native of County Clare, Ireland, and she also is living.
David John Mahoney attended St. John's school until he was fifteen years of age, when he set to work as a teamster. In this he remained for six years, when he secured a better position at the stock yards, with a commission house, his particular duty being the weighing of cattle. This position he held for four years until 1874, when he was appointed a driver in the Chicago Fire Depart- ment with assignment to Engine No. 1. During the following six years he drove No. 1, No. 8, and in August, 1880, was made a truck- man and sent to hook and ladder No. 4. December 31st, 1880, he became lieutenant and was sent to Engine No. 2, being transferred June, 1881, to No. 9. Eighteen months afterward he was sent to No. 16, and on September 5th, 1885, received promotion to a cap- taincy, remaining with the same company until 1889, when he was sent to No. 16. July 1st, 1893, he was promoted to be assistant fire marshal and chief of the 10th Battalion, with headquarters at the house of No. 16, Thirty-first and Dearborn Streets.
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