Herman William Quinton

Who was Herman William Quinton?

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.