Quigley, Martin (page 559), for many years a representative farmer of Greenfield Township, was born in Nanagh, County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1831, son of Michael and Judith (O'Donoghue) Quigley, with whom and other members of the family he came to America in 1853, and to Wabasha County in 1855. He achieved success as a farmer and respect as a citizen, and died May 24, 1887. Shortly after his arrival here he married Ellen Ryan, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, In 1843, and came to this county in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley were the parents of seven children: Edward, Mary, Julia, John R., Martin, Stephen M. and Nora. Edward farms in Anoka County, this state. Mary is the wife of Daniel Kinsella, a farmer of Oakwood Township, this county. Julia is the wife of Frank J. Schenach, a machinist of Red Wing, Minn. John R. operates and owns a farm in Wright County, Minnesota. Martin, for many years a railroad agent in Butte and Helena, Mont., is now in the oil distributing business in Pasadena. Cal. Stephen M. is postmaster and editor at Wabasha. Mora is the wife of Morris M. Wheeler, of Wabasha.
Quigley, Michael (page 558), the pioneer, was born in Nanagh, County Tipperary, Ireland, and there married Judith O'Donoghue. After his marriage for some years he served as steward on the estate of J. J. Kilkelly, and on this estate all his children were born. In 1853 the family came to America and lived for a while in New York state. In 1855 they came to Wabasha County and settled in Greenfield Township. Their nine children were: Ellen, wife of John Starr; John, Martin, Michael H., Philip; Maria, wife of John Enright; Jeremiah, Edward, and Cornelius F.
Quigley, Stephen M. (page 559), postmaster, journalist, educator, banker, and man of affairs, is one of Wabasha's leading citizens, and is well known throughout the Northwest, especially in political, educational, fraternal, civic and business circles. He was born on a farm in Greenfield Township, this county, December 3, 1875, son of Martin and Ellen (......) Quigley. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, on the home farm, and acquired a good education in the public schools, which he rounded out with studies in the Winona State Normal School. His education was further increased by courses in evening schools, institutes, and the summer sessions of Teachers' Training Schools of Minnesota, as well as by self instruction and wide reading. Her started teaching rural schools in the late fall of 1896, and in 1899 was made principal of the school at Kellogg, this county. In the summer of 1902, he was employed as salesman for the Champion Harvester Co., but soon resumed his educational work, for in the fall of 1902 he was elected superintendent of schools in Wabasha County, a choice which proved pleasing to parents, trustees, teachers and children alike. This position he held for two terms. This, however, was not the limit of his educational work. In 1900 he was one of the organizers of the Wabasha County Teachers' Association, serving as the president and secretary of his division for several years. As county superintendent he was a member of the State Reading Circle Board for four years, one year of which he was its treasurer. Upon retiring from the county superintendency, he was made deputy county auditor, taking office January 1, 1907. January 1, 1911, he left this position. In that month he assisted in organizing the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Wabasha, and entered its employ as assistant cashier. In the spring of 1914, he was appointed postmaster at Wabasha, in which position, by reappointment on September 13, 1918, he is still serving. In the meantime, Mr. Quigley had been busy with many other interests. In September, 1905, he bought a half interest in the Wabasha Herald from estate of J. F. McGovern, and the firm continued as Keating & Quigley until October 16, 1908, when Mr. Quigley became the sole owner, since which time he has continued as its manager. In 1911 he helped to organize the Wabasha Ice Cream & Butter Co., of which he has been the only treasurer. Mr. Quigley has been a life-long Democrat and stands high in the councils of that party. In the old caucus and convention days he served as a leading figure on numerous committees and delegations. For many years he was an official of the County Democratic Central Committee, and at one time was a member of the State Democratic Central Committee. Fraternally, he has been likewise prominent. He helped organize Wabasha Council, No. 881, K. C., has passed through the chairs and is now Grand Knight. He was also a charter member and has passed through the chairs of the Kellogg Council, No. 50, Modern Samaritans. Among other orders he belongs likewise to the Wabasha Camp No. 2077, M. W. A. Interested in everything that has for its object the progress of the community, he has been a "live wire" in the Commercial Club, of which he has served as secretary, and in the Wabasha Club. He gives his religious allegiance to the St. Felix Catholic church, of which he has been a trustee for many years. All in all he is a useful citizen, he has done much for the community, and has attained success for himself, and holds the respect and admiration of all who know him. Mr. Quigley was married November 27, 1913, to Mary C. O'Leary, daughter of J. C. O'Leary and Mary O'Leary. Before her marriage she had been for some years a teacher in the Wabasha schools. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley have three children: Abigail, born April 17, 1915; Elizabeth Ann, born June 17, 1916; Ellen Patritia, born March 15, 1918.