Patrick John Dineen, well known merchant of Herkimer, New York, was born on December 24, 1873, at Fairfield, Herkimer county, one of six children born to Jeremiah P. and Julia (Buckley) Dineen. Jeremiah P. Dineen was born in Ireland and after the death of his parents there came alone to America at the age of fifteen years. He lived in Boston for five years, then settled on a farm in Fairfield, New York, and died in Herkimer on July 28, 1889, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife was also born in Ireland, about 1836, and died in the town of Herkimer on November 11, 1881. The brothers and sisters of Patrick J. Dineen were: Catherine, deceased; Daniel H., Michael J., Anna A. and Margaret Dineen, all of Herkimer, New York.
Patrick J. Dineen was educated in the district school in Herkimer county and after leaving school worked for his father on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, then came to Herkimer and entered the employ of the Standard Furniture Company as cabinetmaker for three years. During the administration of President Cleveland he was appointed clerk by H. M. P. Uhlee, postmaster at Herkimer, and served over four years, after which he became associated with B. A. Owens, clothier, in Herkimer, for one year. In 1906 Mr. Dineen opened business for himself in Herkimer, dealing in clothing and men's furnishings, and three years later moved into the old Nelson building on Main street, where he is now located. In 1914 the building was burned, and in 1916, after the store was rebuilt, he went back into business.
On September 6, 1908, in Newport, New York, Mr. Dineen was married to Miss Mary A. Brady, who was born on January 2, 1875, one of six children of John and Mary (Hanlon) Brady. John Brady was born in Ireland on December 8, 1840, and died in Newport, New York, on June 10, 1902. He was in the livery stable business and also ran a meat market, and he was a Civil war veteran. His wife was born in Ireland and died in Newport on December 1, 1894. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Dineen are: Rev. E. H. Brady of Los Angeles, California; William F. and James Brady, and Mrs. L. F. Thomas of Newport, New York; Rev. Francis Brady of Albany, New York, and Harry Brady of Rochester, New York. Mrs. Dineen is a member of St. Francis de Sales church of Herkimer and takes an active interest in the work of the various church organizations.
During the World war Mr. Dineen was chairman of his district for the War Chest and Liberty Loan drives. He is chairman of the Merchants' Committee of the Herkimer Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Fort Dayton Fire Company, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 1439; Royal Arcanum; Knights of Columbus, Council No. 579; Herkimer Hunting Club, and the Down and Out Club. His political affiliations are with the democratic party and his church associations are in St. Francis de Sales of Herkimer. Formerly he was very fond of baseball and enjoyed hunting. The habits of industry and close application which Mr. Dineen early developed have constituted the foundation of his present success.