From Cathy Joynt Labath Source: IA-IRISH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Bio of John Finn of Tipperary Memorial and Biographical record of Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1896 JOHN FINN, hardware dealer and Postmaster at Decorah, Iowa, was born March 7, 1836, in the parish of Ballywilham, county of Tipperary, Ireland, his parents being Patrick and Bridget (Minogue) Finn. The Finns are one of the oldest Irish families, and from time immemorial the paternal ancestors of our subject had tilled the soil of their native land. On the mother's side of the house, the Minnogues had turned their attention to other lines of industry than farming, and considerable wealth had been accumulated by the family. John Ragen, a cousin of our subject, had made his home at Galena, Illinois, and through his accounts of the New World Patrick Finn made up his mind to locate therein. Accordingly he sailed from Ireland the latter part of 1847, being accompanied by his wife and four children. He was doomed, however, never to see the promised land for he sickened with ship fever and died, after being on the ocean eight weeks. The widow with her four small children, of whom our subject was the oldest, landed at New Orleans in February, 1848, and after a long and tedious voyage of sixteen weeks. The family came on to Galena, where they found that Mr. Ragen had a home prepared for them in the shape of a rented farm; but, the head of the household being dead, this plan had to be abandoned. The widow now located in Galena with the idea of keeping her little family together, and thus prevent the severing of home ties. She passed the remainder of her days there. Of her children, two of them live in Decorah. Mary, the only girl, married William Burge, a boot and shoe dealer, of Galena, Illinois; later they moved to Colorado and there she died, leaving one child, John Burge. Patrick, the youngest child, located in Decorah and died at the age of thirty-five years. Our subject, being the oldest child, was placed in the position of father to the family. He was apprenticed to Nicholas Dowling, a tinner at Galena, and there spent five years in acquiring his trade. In the fall of 1853 he went up the river to St. Paul and was there employed at his trade. In June, 1854, he returned to Galena on a visit and from there proceeded to Lancaster, Wisconsin, where he worked that summer. He determined to move into the Northwest again, and accordingly went to St. Anthony (Minneapolis), where he worked for the next few months. At this time the Northwest had no railroad facilities, and when the river was frozen over, St. Anthony and St. Paul were practically cut off from the rest of the world till it opened again in the spring. This was a condition of affairs that did not please Mr. Finn, and when Charles Schmitt, now of Spillville, Iowa, told him he thought he could get a job of Logan & Paul, hardware men at Decorah, Iowa, our subject determined to make the effort. He came down the river to Lansing, walked across country to Decorah and secured the job. He remained with this firm one year, and then worked for M.A. Bradish for a time. Mr. Finn came to Decorah in October, 1855. When he reached the town he had about $700 in cash, but his marriage a few months later used up about all his money. When he began business for himself in the spring of 1858, his capital consisted of a wagon, which was bought on time from John Ammon, and which he sold to a Mr. White for a kit of tinner's tools. This wagon was valued at $90, and as Mr. White was just starting on an overland trip to California, it was more useful to him than the tools; and hence the trade. Mr. Finn's success in life began with his independent start in business, for he was practically successful from the beginning. In 1863 his brother became a partner, but soon after went to the war. R.F. Gibson was then a partner for a year. When his brother returned from the war he again joined in the business, and thus the firm of Finn Brothers continued till 1879. In March, 1881, Daniel Noble was taken as a partner, and the firm name read "Finn & Noble," and thus continued till January 1, 1891, since which time Mr. Finn has conducted the business alone. The firm of Finn Brothers built the Strand & Duncan building in 1866. Mr. Finn moved into his present quarters in 1886, and in April, 1895, purchased the building from R.F. Allison. Our subject was married October 10, 1856, at Decorah, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth Quinn, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Quinn. She as born in the parish of Craughan, county of Kings, Ireland, March 18, 1840, but brought to America in childhood. Their children are: Mary Elizabeth, born January 1, 1858, died December 6, 1891; Margaret, born May 30, 1859; Grace, October 9, 1861; John Patrick, May 8, 1863; Peter Emmett, born March 2, 1865, died July 10, 1875; Marcella, born in 1866, died in infancy; Annie, born July 20, 1869; and Patrick, May 3, 1875. Of the above children, five of the daughters have taken the regular course at the Prairie du Chien school, one of the best institutions of learning in this part of the country, and the father has left no stone unturned to complete their education. Mrs. Finn died February 7, 1877. During her later years she was a sufferer from pulmonary troubles, and the husband did everything that medical science could suggest to restore the lost health of his wife. As a last resort he took her to Aiken, South Carolina, where they spent the winter, but all to no avail. She died leaving a grief-stricken husband and a group of sorrowful children to mourn her loss, for she was a faithful wife and a fond and loving mother. Mr. Finn was originally a Republican in politics, casting his first vote for Fremont. He was converted to Democracy, however, under the powerful elegance of the late Stephen A. Douglas when that gentleman spoke at Galena as a participant in the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates. Our subject has been faithful to, and a hard worker in, the party from that time to the present. In 1879 he was the candidate for his party for the Legislature and ran over 300 ahead of his ticket, but was defeated by the overwhelming Republican majority. He was appointed Postmaster of Decorah by President Cleveland June 28, 1885, and the appointment was confirmed by the Senate July 26, 1886. He took charge of the office July 4, 1885, and held it for five years and two months. He received his present appointment as Postmaster from President Cleveland October 30, 1894, took charge of the office November 12, following, and was confirmed by the Senate January 10, 1895. Mr. Finn was elected as a member of the City School Board, and assumed his duties therein March 13, 1865. He served in that capacity for nine consecutive years, and during that time, in 1866-67, the present fine public school building was erected, at a cost of $20,000. He was a member of the Town Council at the time when Decorah became a city, and was instrumental in bringing about that event. He served as chairman of the Democratic county central committee from 1865 to 1885. He was also a member of the old Third Congressional Committee, serving from 1872 to 1885, with the exception of an intermission of one year. Probably no man in the county has done as much to keep the Democratic party organized in northeastern Iowa as has our subject. He has been in touch with the national leaders of the party; has been a hard worker, and his upright and successful business career has commanded the respect of his followers. Cathy Joynt Labath Irish in Iowa http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm