On 25 April 1831, Solomon John Quinlivan was born in Cutteen More, Tulla Parish, County Clare. His parents were John Quinlivan and and Anne Ryan whose other children were Joanna, Robert, Mary and Margaret.
Solomon, along with his father and sister Mary, emigrated from the port of Limerick aboard the ship Edward arriving in New York on 7 May 1849. From there they migrated to St. Louis, Missouri.
On 29 October 1854, Solomon married Ann Finn - also from Ireland. They had 10 children; John R, Mary Ellen, William, Lillian, James Finn, Maggie C, Margaret, Thomas E, Annie T and Charles J.
Solomon died in St. Louis on 3 March 1905. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis.