John Joseph Quinn, a Native of County Galway and a WWI Veteran

John Joseph Quinn - WWI Veteran [1]

This week, in honor of Veteran's Day, I have written posts about five veterans; my parents and three veterans from Ringgold, Louisiana. This last post of the week is about WWI veteran John Joseph Quinn, my husband's great-uncle, who immigrated from County Galway in 1914. 

John Joseph Quinn, the son of William Quinn and Bridget Brannelly, was born on June 14, 1890, in the townland of Caherawoneen, County Galway.[2] In 1914, he immigrated to the United States arriving first in Boston on October 8th.[3] From there he went to Louisville, Kentucky where he had family and spent some time working in a cemetery. He later worked in Iowa and Connecticut before enlisting in the U. S. Army on May 27, 1918, in New York City.[4] 

On June 18, 1918, John became a naturalized citizen at Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina.[5] And, by June 30th of that same year, John was serving as a wagoner with the 153rd Depot Brigade in France.[6]

John's enlistment record stated that he was single and of excellent character. His vocation was that of a chauffeur. 

John was described as having gray eyes, black hair, and a dark completion. He was 27 years old and 5 feet and 8 1/2 inches tall.[7]

His daughter, Helen, said that her father loved the Army and was always interested in talking to veterans. After the war, John lived in New York City where he married, raised a family, and worked as a chauffeur and taxicab driver. He died in 1966 and is buried in Calvery Cemetery in Queens.[8]

To learn about John Quinn's family visit my post The Family of William Quinn and Bridget Brannelly.

Visit this week's posts honoring veterans. 

• Friday's Photo: Whit Criswell Bryan, A Veteran of Three Wars and a Pearl Harbor Survivor

• My Mother, A Navy Veteran

• From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: Thomas Jefferson Martin III - Resident of Ringgold and WWII Veteran

• From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: Dr. Vance W. Fletcher, Ringgold Physician and WWI Veteran

• From the Files of Marguerite Cook Clark: Theodore G. Smith, WWII Air Force Veteran and Native of Ringgold, Louisiana

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2021 

    1. John Joseph Quinn, photograph, ca. 1918; digital image, from the privately held photo collection of H. Quinn, 2021.

    2. Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1890/02426/1903660.pdf : accessed 11 October 2021); digital image, Joseph Patrick Quinn birth, 14 June 1890; citing Group Registration ID 9932937; filed 25 June 1890 by McNally, registrar, in the District of Kinvara in the Union of Gort in the County of Galway, unidentified register and folio, "First Page," stamped no.1903660 and 281, entry no. 223. Note that his name was recorded as Joseph Patrick Quinn, family only knew him as John Joseph Quinn. 

    3. "New York, Southern District, U.S District Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1946," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9HF-WD45?cc=2060123&wc=M5PK-T3K%3A351741801 : 12 November 2021), Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1929 no 161194-161450 > image 866 of 1011; citing NARA microfilm publication M1972, Southern District of New York Petitions for Naturalization, 1897-1944. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2009, RG 21. National Archives at New York.

    4. Telephone conversations between H. Quinn (NY) and D. B. Quinn (VA), between 18 September 2020 and 29 December 2020. Transcript held in 2021 by D.B. Quinn (VA).  Also, John Joseph Quinn, Enlistment Record, service no.3183230, (enlisted 1918); photocopy supplied by H. Quinn from personal family papers, 2020.

    5. "New York, Southern District, U.S District Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1946," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9HF-WD45?cc=2060123&wc=M5PK-T3K%3A351741801 : 12 November 2021), Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1929 no 161194-161450 > image 866 of 1011; citing NARA microfilm publication M1972, Southern District of New York Petitions for Naturalization, 1897-1944. Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2009, RG 21. National Archives at New York.

    6. John Joseph Quinn, Honorable Discharge from the United States Army, service no.3183230, (discharged 1919); photocopy supplied H. Quinn from personal family papers, 2020.

    7. John Joseph Quinn, Enlistment Record, service no.3183230, (enlisted 1918); photocopy supplied by H. Quinn from personal family papers, 2020.

    8. Telephone conversations between H. Quinn (NY) and D. B. Quinn (VA), between 18 September 2020 and 29 December 2020. Transcript held in 2021 by D.B. Quinn (VA).