Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CONLIN, Thomas J.
Conlin, Thomas J. (Washington Township, June 5, 1859--Dubuque, IA, July 30, 1940). County sheriff. In 1899, Conlin was elected county sheriff when he defeated incumbent Jacob HAUDENSHIELD. Conlin served from January 1, 1900, until December 31, 1901, when he yielded the position to John Steiner who defeated him in the election.
Conlin attended BAYLESS BUSINESS COLLEGE and for eight years worked for American Express Company. He then purchased the livery business run by Peter OLINGER and operated it for nine years until he became sheriff. After he lost his bid for re-election, Conlin entered a partnership with John T. Kearns in the ICE and fuel business. Their business, CONLIN AND KEARNS, was the last major ice house in Dubuque.
Conlin had a lifelong interest in BASEBALL and was a personal friend of Charles Albert COMISKEY, Thomas Loftus and other great baseball figures. Conlin was also given credit for alerting the White Sox about a young spitball pitcher and future Hall of Fame member named Urban "Red" Faber from Cascade.