History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1577

his thorough understanding of the science of medicine and his practical
ability in applying it to the relief of suffering humanity, have gained him
in professional circles, a position which is unmistakable evidence of his
superior skill. Aside from the organizations of his profession, he affiliates
with the Masons, in which he has reached the Knight Templar degree,
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, and the
Knights of Pythias. Formerly a Republican, when the new Progressive
party had its birth, in the fall of I912, he transferred his allegiance to it,
and has since been a hearty supporter of the so-called "Bull Moose"
principles and candidates. He has been active in those affairs which have
affected the welfare of his community, served for some time as a member
of the board of pension examiners, and is at this time city physician
of Ludington. In professional, business and fraternal circles he has a
wide acquaintance and enjoys the sincere friendship of men throughout the county.
In I876 Doctor Switzer was united in marriage with Miss Addie
Morthland, of Berrien county, Michigan, and they became the parents of
one child, Alice, who is now a professional nurse in Chicago. In 900o
Doctor Switzer married Anna B. Jensen, of Michigan, and they have had
two children: Lars Walldorf and Lois, both of whom are attending
school at Ludington.
WALTER T. QUINLAN. Among the officials of Manistee county
whose services are contributing materially to the welfare of the locality,.Walter T. Quinlan is deserving of more than passing mention. The
incumbent of the county clerk's office since I9IO, he has displayed a
fidelity to duty and a conscientious devotion to high ideals of public service that have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow-citizens,
and during his administration numerous reforms and innovations in the
office have been made, all tending toward a raise in the standard of efficiency. Mr. Quinlan was born in Sanilac county, Michigan, December
15, i88I, and is a son of Patrick and Anna (Conley) Quinlan.
Patrick Quinlan was born in Ireland in I826 and was there given
only meagre educational advantages, the family being in very modest
financial circumstances. He was an industrious and ambitious youth,
and, seeing no future for himself in his native land except one of hard,
constant labor, with but little opportunity of gaining more than a livelihood, decided to come to the United States and try his fortunes. Accordingly, when only fifteen years of age, he gathered together such
resources as he could command and embarked on a sailing vessel, which
brought him in due time to this country. When he arrived, he was a
poor emigrant lad, without funds or friends, or more than a passing
knowledge of American ways and customs. However, he set to work
industriously, and before long had saved enough from his earnings to
send to Erin for his father and mother. The former, also named Patrick
Quinlan, subsequently settled on a farm in Michigan, became moderately
successful through his enterprise and industry, and passed away as one
of his community's respected citizens. Patrick Quinlan, Jr., was for a
number of years employed at various occupations, until finally embarking
in the hotel business at Lexington, Michigan, an enterprise with which he
was connected for many years, becoming well known to the traveling
public of Michigan, who made his popular house their headquarters. He
is now living a somewhat retired life, his home being on a farm in the
vicinity of Carsonville, Michigan. He was twice married, and by his first
wife became the father of six children. He was married to Miss Anna
Conley, who was born in 1849, near Detroit, Michigan, daughter of
Thomas Conley, who was for years a prosperous farmer of Michigan