Herman William Quinton
Encyclopedia
Herman William Quinton was a Canadian
politician.
He worked as a school teacher from 1913 to 1914 and then joined Sir William Coaker
in the Fisherman's Union Trading Company managing various branches before becoming dry goods superintendent
Quinton served with the Newfoundland Regiment during World War I
and saw action in France and Belgium, he achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1918. He secretary-treasurer of the Great War Veterans' Association of Newfoundland in 1924.
Following the war he went back to the Trading Company before joining A.E. Hickman & Co. as a travelling salesman.
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 Dominion of 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
he 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 colony 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.
He retired from provincial politics in 1950 and was appointed to the Canadian Senate
on 24 January 1951 on the recommendation of Louis St-Laurent. He represented the senatorial division of Burgeo-Lapoile, Newfoundland and Labrador
as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada
until his death.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician.
He worked as a school teacher from 1913 to 1914 and then joined Sir William Coaker
William Coaker
Sir William Ford Coaker was a Newfoundland union leader and politician and founder of the Fisherman's Protective Union and the Fishermen's Union Trading Co....
in the Fisherman's Union Trading Company managing various branches before becoming dry goods superintendent
Quinton served with the Newfoundland Regiment during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and saw action in France and Belgium, he achieved the rank of lieutenant in 1918. He secretary-treasurer of the Great War Veterans' Association of Newfoundland in 1924.
Following the war he went back to the Trading Company before joining A.E. Hickman & Co. as a travelling salesman.
Quinton was elected to the Newfoundland House of Assembly in 1928 representing Bonavista and was re-elected in 1932 defeating a young Joey Smallwood
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
. He served as minister of public works in the Dominion of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
government until responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
was suspended in 1934 in favour of a Commission of Government
Commission of Government
The Commission of Government was a non-elected body that governed Newfoundland from 1934 to 1949...
appointed by London. He was appointed magistrate for St. Barbe district. Following the death of Sir John Charles Puddester
John Charles Puddester
John Charles Puddester was a businessman and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Bay de Verde from 1924 to 1932 and Carbonear-Bay de Verde from 1932 to 1934. Puddester was then appointed to the Commission of Government, serving until his death in 1947.He was born in Northern Bay, the...
he 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 colony 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
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a political party in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the provincial wing of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is the Official Opposition and currently holds six seats in the provincial legislature.-Origins:The party originated in...
and served in the new provincial government as Minister of Finance in Premier Joey Smallwood's first Cabinet.
He retired from provincial politics in 1950 and was appointed to the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
on 24 January 1951 on the recommendation of Louis St-Laurent. He represented the senatorial division of Burgeo-Lapoile, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
until his death.