Herman William Quinton
Herman William Quinton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Quinton in military uniform, 1927 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senator from Burgeo-La Poile, Newfoundland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 24, 1951 – April 2, 1952 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nominated by | Louis St. Laurent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appointed by | Viscount Alexander of Tunis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 26, 1896 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | April 2, 1952 (aged 55) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Liberal-Conservative (1928–1932) United Newfoundland (1932–1934) Liberal (1949–1952) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Ella Blackmore (m. 1921) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Dave Quinton (nephew) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Bishop Feild College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Teacher, merchant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance | Newfoundland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch/service | British Army | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Lieutenant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit | Royal Newfoundland Regiment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battles/wars | First World War | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Herman William Quinton (October 28, 1896 – April 2, 1952) was a Newfoundlander and Canadian politician.
Military service and mercantile career
Quinton was born in Red Cliff, Bonavista Bay to Jacob Quinton and Sarah (née Benger).[1] After graduating from Bishop Feild College in St. John's, he worked as a school teacher from 1913 to 1914 and, afterwards, joined Sir William Coaker in the Fisherman's Union Trading Company managing various branches[1] before becoming dry goods superintendent.[2]
Quinton served with the Newfoundland Regiment during World War I[1] and saw action in France and Belgium. He achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1918. He became secretary-treasurer of the Great War Veterans' Association of Newfoundland in 1924.
Following the war, he went back to the Trading Company[1] before joining A.E. Hickman & Co. as a travelling salesman.[3] From 1928 to 1932, Quinton was manager for an export division of the Monroe Export Co.[2]
He married Ella Blackmore in 1921.[1]
Politics
Quinton was elected to the Newfoundland House of Assembly in 1928 representing Bonavista and was re-elected in 1932 defeating a young Joey Smallwood. He served as minister of public works in the Newfoundland government until responsible government was suspended in 1934 in favour of a Commission of Government appointed by London. He was appointed magistrate for St. Barbe district.
Following the death of Sir John Charles Puddester, Quinton was appointed to the Commission of Government in 1947 to fill Puddester's portfolio as Commissioner of Public Health and Welfare. In this period, the dominion was considering whether or not to join Canada as a province, and Quinton was one of only two commissioners to support joining confederation. Following Newfoundland's entry into Canadian Confederation, he was elected to the new House of Assembly representing Burgeo-LaPoile for the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and served in the new provincial government as Minister of Finance in Premier Joey Smallwood's first Cabinet.[1]
He retired from provincial politics in 1950[1] and was appointed to the Senate of Canada on January 24, 1951 on the recommendation of Louis St-Laurent. He represented the senatorial division of Burgeo-Lapoile, Newfoundland as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada until his death in St. John's at the age of 55.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Krachun, Carla (1993). "Quinton, Herman William". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, volume 1. St. John's: Harry Cuff Publications Ltd. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b Johnson, JK (1968). Canadian Dictionary of Parliament 1867-1967. p. 481.
- ^ Hibbs, Richard (1927). Who's Who In and From Newfoundland 1927. St. John's, NL: Richard Hibbs. p. 265. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ^ "Members of the Legislature, 1932-1933" (PDF). Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2015.