Cumberland County, Maine - Isaac F. Quinby ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright (c) 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Isaac F. Quinby Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 328-331 Isaac F. Quinby was born in Falmouth, Me., now Westbrook, on May 26, 1818, and has continued a resident of the place, being one of the most highly esteemed citizens. He has for years been engaged in the real estate business. Son of Joseph, Jr., and Eliza (Bailey) Quinby, both formerly of Falmouth, he represents the third generation of his family born in the State of Maine. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Quinby, was born in America, and with a brother, Joseph, first visited the locality of Falmouth in quest of "King's masts"; that is, he was commissioned by the King of Great Britain to take any tree suitable for a mast for one of the King's vessels, no matter where the tree might be. Being pleased with the country, he settled in Falmouth; and there his son Joseph, the grandfather of Mr. Isaac F. Quinby, was born. He engaged in farming in Falmouth, and when the trump of war was sounded left his growing harvests for the field of battle, serving as a Colonel in the Continental army, appointed by Washington. He lived to see the new republic firmly established and to cast many votes in the interest of the Whig party. He died in Gray, Cumberland County, in 1806. Joseph Quinby, Sr., married Miss Azuba Partridge, of Falmouth, and reared a large family. Their son, Joseph Quinby, Jr., was born in Falmouth, Me., in 1791. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and worked at it for a short time; but in 1807 the Embargo Act caused such an unsettled state of affairs in the country that he could not obtain steady employment in his chosen occupation; and, purchasing some horses, he engaged in carrying merchandise between different points. He traveled as far east as the Provinces and as far west as New York, and was often gone three months at a time. After the War of 1812 he obtained work as a carpenter and joiner in Westbrook and Portland, and followed his trade up to the time of his death, in 1838. During the War of 1812 Mr. Quinby belonged to the minutemen who held themselves in readiness to defend Portland in case of an attack. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. His wife, Eliza Bailey, who was born in Falmouth in 1792, was a daughter of Joseph Bailey. She died in Falmouth in 1874. Six children were born to them, two of whom are now living - Isaac F., the subject of this sketch; and Martha A., wife of Josiah Knight, of Kingston, N.H. Isaac F. Quinby received a good common school education in his native town. He learned the joiner's trade with his father, and after finishing his apprenticeship worked for a year making furniture, at the end of that time resuming the work of his trade, which he followed for about sixteen years. From the time of his majority he had taken an active interest in politics as a Republican, and he was elected Treasurer of Cumberland County for 1860-61. He gave his whole attention to the duties of this office during the first year of his incumbency; but in 1861, after the battle of Bull Run, he advertised his intention of going to war, asking all who were willing to accompany him to call at his office. As a result he recruited a company of one hundred and three men; and, resigning the treasurership, he enlisted as a private in the Thirteenth Regiment of Maine Volunteers, under Neal Dow, of Portland, who was commissioned Colonel. Mr. Quinby was enrolled in Company E, and was afterward commissioned Captain. The regiment went to Fortress Monroe and was there divided up, Captain Quinby's detachment being assigned to Fort St. Philip, to aid General Butler's expedition against New Orleans. Embarking on the steamer "Mississippi," the brave volunteers had a narrow escape from an inglorious death. Through the carelessness of the Commander, the steamer struck a reef in Frying-pan Shoals, and soon began to fill with water, although the pumps were worked vigorously. Finally, with a piece of a sail over the hole, the steamer was kept above water until the passengers were taken off by another vessel. At Fort St. Philip Captain Quinby was taken ill with swamp fever, and on his recovery, being too weak for action; returned home. He had enlisted for three years, but his sickness reduced his term of service. When his health was in some degree restored, he engaged in the real estate business; and some of the finest residential parts of Westbrook owe their existence to his enterprise. Purchasing large tracts of land, he has been, instrumental in clearing and improving them and covering them with comfortable dwellings. He still retains his interest in politics, and not long since was sent on a special mission to the legislature to prevent the division of Westbrook, which he accomplished. In 1844 Mr. Quinby was married to Catherine G., daughter of Ephraim Brown, of Parsonsfield, Me. Two children have blessed their union, namely: Mary, wife of Charles Quinby, of Westbrook; and Ellen, wife of Henry H. Hawes, of the same place. Mr. Quinby belongs to Temple Lodge, No. 86, A. F. & A. M. He joined the Odd Fellows when about twenty-one years of age; but the Lodge of which he was a member disbanded for some reason, and he has never become affiliated with another. On the subject of religion he holds liberal views.