Obituaries: James Wesley "Jim" Quinalty, 1954, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: February 11, 1954 Winn Parish Enterprise Tribute Paid To Ward Five Farmer, Political Leader Friends of James Wesley "Jim" Quinalty, prominent in Winn Parish political, civic, and fraternal circles for many years, paid him tribute this week, following his death Sunday, February 7, in a local hospital. Mr. Quinalty, 52, was credited with knowing more of the local history than probably any other living person in this vicinity. Possessing a magnetic personality and a wonderful memory, Jim, as he was universally known, had more sources of information, and more informants than seemed possible for one man. People from various walks of life visited and counseled with him. He had a natural ability for composition and in addition to writing many theses and other articles, he "ghost wrote" political platform material for many aspirants to public office from Winn Parish. Dr. L. C. Smith, State Missionary of the Louisiana Baptist Association, and one of those who assisted in conducting his funeral at Mount Zion Methodist Church Monday, commented that he loved to visit the Quinalty home in Ward Five and "just drive up to the big gate and listen." Others termed him a "walking encyclopedia," and one who would "give you the shirt off his back." Mr. Quinalty, a native of Ward Five, was born near Montgomery August 5, 1901. He attended elementary school at Wheeling and Ebenezer, and high school at Montgomery. He studied law by correspondence from LaSalle Extension University. At one time he operated a mercantile business at Livingston, La. Later, due to health conditions of his aged parents, Mr. Quinalty returned to Winn Parish where he engaged in farming and livestock production. The Quinalty farm is one of the few remaining cotton farms in Winn Parish. Mr. Quinalty was elected a member of the Winn Parish Democratic Executive Committee in 1932 and served two four-year terms. In 1934 he was elected a member of the Parish School Board. He was named Parish Registrar of Voters in 1948, but soon resigned due to ill health. He was a member of the Denham Springs Masonic Lodge No. 297, Denham Springs, La., and Order of the Eastern Star, Verda. He served three terms as Noble Grand, and two terms as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows, and served three terms as Council Commander of W. O. W., Camp 301, Montgomery. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, February 8. Mr. Quinalty had been in declining health for several years. Rites were at the Mount Zion Methodist Church, with Rev. Lula Wardlow officiating. She was assisted by Rev. Jerry Green, former pastor of the Union Hill Baptist Church; Dr. L. C. Smith, Judge Cas Moss, and Congressman A. Leonard Allen. Pallbearers were Ira Downs, H. A. Kieffer, Harwell Allen, Cheston Stevens, Johnnie Kieffer, and Marvin Wyatt. Survivors are one sister, Miss Lucy Quinalty of Montgomery, and a brother, John Quinalty of Orange, Texas.