My Genealogy Hound

Alonzo Quimby, who is now engineer on the fast mail on the Chicago Burlington & Quincy, was born at South Berwick, Maine, May 19 1857 his parents being Jonathan H. and Almira (Boston) Quimby, who were likewise natives of the Pine Tree state, the former born in Lebanon, and the latter in Wells, Maine. The paternal grandfather came from Ireland to the new world and built a flouring and cotton mill at Lebanon. Jonathan Quimby became a carpenter and farmer and was quite successful in his business interests dealing largely in cattle and finding that a profitable source of revenue. He took an active interest in politics as a stalwart advocate of the democracy and cooperated in many progressive movements that tended to advance the welfare of the community in which he lived He died in 1881 in his seventy-second year. His wife had passed away in 1880 in her sixty-fifth year. She was of French extraction and was a daughter of Elijah Boston, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812. In religious faith she was a Baptist and her life was kindly in its purposes and its influences.

In the family were six children: Jeremiah B., now a machinist of South Berwick, Maine; Almira, who is the widow of Rev. Moses M. Young a minister of the Adventist church and now a resident of South Berwick ; Alonzo of this review; and three who have passed away. By her first husband Henry Phillips, the mother had three children: George W., who was lost at sea in 1873; Charles G., deceased; and William H., who was lost at sea in 1897. All of the three sons were sailors.

A common-school education prepared Alonzo Quimby for the practical and responsible duties of life. He was reared to farm life, remaining on the old homestead in Maine until twenty-three years of age, during which time he assisted in the work of the field and meadow and early became familiar with all the duties that devolve upon the agriculturist On leaving home he turned his attention to railroad service, accepting a position as fireman on an eastern road, his run being between Boston and Portland. He was for four years with this road and with the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, after which he spent eight months as an engineer in the service of the Davidson Rubber Company at Somerville, Massachusetts. In 1888 he came to Creston and has since been engineer on the Burlington Railroad, having had charge of the fast mail for four years, a position which indicates the confidence and trust reposed in him in this capacity. He is careful, prompt and reliable and has had a record remarkably clear from accidents. He owns a farm in Missouri and at one time had farm property in Union county but sold in September, 1907. In the same year he built a modern home on North Sumner avenue in Creston, where he is now pleasantly located.

In January, 1887, Mr. Quimby was married to Miss Nellie E. Murray, who was born in Albany, Vermont, in 1862, and is descended from Irish ancestry, her parents being James and Mary (Corley) Murray. Her father was a farmer, who on leaving the Emerald isle in early life settled on a farm in the Green Mountain state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quimby has been born a daughter, Alice M., born January 16, 1888, in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the Creston City Business College, having completed the college preparatory course. She belongs to the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Quimby belongs to the Odd Fellows society, to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Brotherhood, of Locomotive Engineers. He votes with the republican party but aside from a citizen’s interest in politics takes no active part in the work of the organization. He is well known on the line of the Burlington, where he makes his run, and is regarded as one of the most efficient and capable engineers in this section of the service. He has, too, many qualities which have gained for him friendship and regard in the community where he makes his home.