Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 151

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 151

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Mr. Terrent was married, in New York City, in April, 1865, to Miss Julia O'Callahan, dangh- ter of Daniel and Ellen (Carrol) O'Callahan, who was born December 24; 1849. Her par- ents, who were born in the county of Cork, Ireland, reached old age and died in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Terrent have the following chil- dren : Mary, a Sister in St. Mary's Convent, at Dallas, Tex .; Ella, a teacher in the Enos School ; Margaret, married David Walsh, andi- tor for Mr. Shumway's mining interests; Julia, stenographer in the employ of Dunn & Com-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

pany; Father Michael Terrent, assistant in the cathedrai at Alton, III.

THAYER, Edward Raymore, a veteran mer- chant of Springfield, Ill., was born at Amherst, Mass., July 7, 1815, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thayer. When he was about one year old, his parents removed to Petersburg, Va., but after remaining there about seven years, they returned north to Boston, Mass., which con- tlnued to be their home for several years. In 1835-this being a period of large emigration from the Eastern States to the West-the family came to St. Louis, Mo. The father con- templated entering the mercantile bnsiuess there, in which he had previously been eugaged, but finding the field apparently overcrowded, and having made the acquaintance at a St. Louis hotel of Mr. James L. Lamb, a prominent busi- ness man of Springfield, Ill., he was induced to come to the latter place, theu a town of some 1200 iuhabitants. Here he at ouce engaged in mercantile business, which he continued during the remainder of his life, his death finally oc- curing In the later 'seventies at the age of more thau ninety years. Mr. Thayer was one of the contributors to the $50.000 fund for se- cnring the location of the State Capitol at Springfield.

In 1837, at the age of about twenty-one years, Edward R. entered into partnership with his father, which lasted during the remainder of the life of the latter. During much of this time he was practical head of the concern and, for many years before the period of railroad connection with the East, was accustomed to make two trips each year by stage-coach to Philadelphia and New York for the purchase of stocks of goods. At this time the well-known Thayer store was located on the west side of Fifth Street opposite the Capitol Square and was the popular trading poiut of many of the older and historic families of Springfield. In 1863 the store was rémoved to its present loca- tion at 520 East Adams Street, south of the public square, which it has since occupied for nearly fifty years.

Mr. Thayer was also one of the founders of the Springfield Woolen Mills, which grew nnder his administration to be one of the large manu- facturing concerns In the city of Springfield, occupying nearly one-half of an entire block on South Fourth Street opposite the Bettie Stuart Institute, but was discontinued some years ago. Hugh Armstrong, an early operator in this Ilne, was an original partner and manager of the concern for a number of years after its estab- lishment.

A man of quiet temperament, reserved man- ner, high moral character and business in- tegrity, Mr. Thayer has devoted his life closely to his vocation, but has always been interested In issues tending to the local and public wel- fare. original Republican In political opinlons, he is one of the few now surviving who knew Abraham Lincoln intimately and as

a personal friend, and whose reminiscences in conuectiou with the life of Springfield's greatest citizen and America's greatest statesmau, have had a constantly increasing Interest and value to the present generatlon. A historic event of uatioual interest of which Mr. Thayer has some personal recollectlou, was the iaying of the cor- Her-stone of the Bunker Hill Mouument at Charlestown, Mass., (uow a part of the city of Boston), by Gen. Lafayette in 1825, which Mr. Thayer witnessed as a boy at ten years of age.

Never married, Mr. Thayer has uniformly made his home, successively at different hotels iu the city, for more than two generations- from the old Spottswood Hotel, the Globe, the American and the Chenery, down to the Le- land for the last . quarter-century-and is widely recognized as a leading historic char- acter of the city which has been his home, and where he has been a leading business mau for more than three-quarters of a century, at ail times enjoying the confidence and respect of the entire community.

THOMA, Frank .- Among the highiy esteemed residents of Springfield, Ili., may be mentioned Frank Thoma, who is now livlug retired after many years of business activity. Mr. Thoma is a native of Germany, having been born in Baden, August 25, 1840, a son of Frank X. and Rosa (Reisch) Thoma. He was eleven years of age when the family emigrated to the United States, where an older brother had gone one year pre- viously, and his education, begun In the schools of his native country, was finished in the vicin- ity of Williamsburg, N. Y., where the family re- sided for two years. They then went to Berks County, Pa., sixteen miles east of Doylestown, setling on a farm of 160 acres, and there Mr. Thoma worked some time. December 17. 1860, he came to Springfield and began working for Christ Hauck. Deciding to enter upon a busi- ness career instead of farming, he began to learn the butchering business with Johu Lutz, later went to Chicago and worked there at his trade two months, when he went to Joliet, Ill., to take charge of a big butchering plant, which was washed away in the flood. He then went into partnership with another man in the butchering business, and continued nntil 1866, when he came to Springfield and bought stock, remaining In this line nntil 1867, in October of which year he opened an establishment of his own at No. 802 Sonth Fifth Street, and there he continued to do business nntil 1892, meeting with much success. Believing at this time that he had spent enough of his time in the business, Mr. Thoma purchased four acres of land just ontside of the city, to which he moved. and there for ten years, he engaged in poultry raising and truck gardening, but in 1902, he returned to Springfield, where he has sluce lived retired. He is the owner of his home and considerable other real estate in the city, and is looked upon as one of his community's substantial men.

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Mr. Thoma was married in Springfield May 27, 1867, to Charlotte Greach, who came to the United States from Germany about 1866. She is a daughter of Andrew and Magdalena (Stal- ing) Greach, who were both natives of Neider- haus, Baden, Germany. The mother visited America about 1878 and the father visited the country the following year, but both died in Germany. Mr. Thoma and wife had these chil- dren : Lizzie, who married J. W. Johnson, of London, Canada; Katie, who married K. H. Kruns, of Springfield; Rosie, who married Otto Gehr, of Chicago, and Frances, who married Wiliam Link, of Springfield. The family attend SS. Peter and Paul German Catholic Church and Mr. Thoma is a member of St. Vincent's Society.

THOMA, Hugo .- Springfield, with its miles of weil-paved streets, shaded by stately trees and flanked with beautiful homes; its many munici- pai improvements; its magnificent State buiid- ings; its beautiful churches, steeped as it is in an atmosphere of culture and offering such ex- cellent opportunities for social intercourse, is an ideal home for those seeking a haven of rest after years of fruitful endeavor. Hugo Thoma, after a business life of over forty-eight years in Springfield, has for several years past been re- tired from active life, and is enjoying the many advantages of residence in Springfield. He was born in Baden, Germany, February 26, 1848, being a son of Xavier and Rosa (Reisch) Thoma, the former born in Baden, Germany, December 6, 1906, and the later in the same place July 18, 1811. The father was a locksmith by trade, who came to the United States in 1849, landing in New York, where he remained two years. From there he went to Bucks County, Pa., there living until 1862, when the family came to Sangamon County, the father working at his trade until his death, February 22, 1869. His widow survived him untii June 27, 1877. There were ten chil- dren in the family, nine sons and one daughter, and of these three survive : Hugo, Frank and Mrs. Minnie Mauer, who is a widow.

After receiving a common school education in Bucks County schools, Hugo Thoma worked on a canal boat owned by his father, on the Lehigh & Delaware Canal, in Pennsylvania, being the mule driver. He was but eight years old when he commenced this work, alternating it with his attendance at school. He also worked on the Essex & Reading and the Morris Canals, the latter in New Jersey. When he reached Spring- field. January 5, 1863, having spent seven days on the journey, coming from New York on an emigrant train, he began working in a brick yard conducted by August Kleppenberg, remain- ing in his employ one summer. In the fall of 1863, he worked in the confectionary business, remaining there until January 1, 1865, when he drove a team four months, then tended bar until 1868. January 1, 1869, he engaged in business on his own account, attaining a well-earned suc- cess, but having accumulated a sufficiently large

competency, retired from business in 1900. He belongs to SS. Peter and Paui Roman Catholic Church and is faithful in its support.

Mr. Thoma was married in the church of which he is a member, in Springfield, May 5, 1885, to Sophia Kuehn, born in Springfield, Feb- ruary 5, 1855. Her father came from Bavaria, Germany, and her mother from Wurtemburg, Germany, to America, at an early day, landing at New Orleans. From that city they went to St. Louis, which was their home until 1854, when removal was made to Springfield, where the father embarked in a gents' furnishing goods store, conducting it untii 1869, when he retired. His death occurred May 13, 1897, but his widow survived until 1902. There were three sons and two daughters in the Kuehn family, three of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Thoma have had eight children: Albert C., Hugo, J., Carl E., Marie S., of Springfield ; Clara, wife of William Watts, and three who are deceased. Mr: Thoma owns his residence at No. 831 Percy Ave- nue, in addition to other realty in Springfield, and is in very comfortable circumstances. His business career was marked by very close atten- tion to his own affairs and strict honesty, and he has reaped the legitimate results of good efforts carefully directed.

THOMAS, Jesse Burgess, Jr. (Voi. I, p. 521.)

THOMPSON, Franklin C., who owns a weil- developed farm on Section 5, Lanesville Town- ship, Sangamon County, was born near Waverly, Pike County, Ohio, August 26, 1855, a son of Jefferson and Mary (Musstain) Thompson, both natives of Ohio, the former born in Guernsey County and the latter in Pike County. Jefferson Thompson is a cooper, having iearned the trade after his marriage. He accompanied his father from his native county to Pike County, and there the family located on a farm. He was married there in 1854, and he and his wife now reside in Waverly, he aged seventy-seven, and she aged sixty-five years. They were parents of eight sons, of whom the two deceased were: the youngest son, Clifton, died in the Philippine Islands, while in the United States Government service, and James Sherman. Franklin is the oldest chiid surviving, the others being: David L. of Waverly, where he is a mechanic; William HI., of Canal Dover, Ohio, a tinner by trade; John W., of Cleveland; Philip W .; and Charles, of Arkansas. The paternal grandfather of Franklin C., David Thompson, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio, and his maternal grandparents also came from Virginia.

In boyhood Franklin C. Thompson worked on his father's farm and he received his education in the schools of Waverly. In 1880, he came to Sangamon County and settled on the farm of John Frey, his father-in-law, where he remained seven years, then sold out and spent a few months in Springfield, after which he purchased the farm he has since carried on. He owns 100 acres of land and during the twenty-one years,

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he has lived on it, has brought it to a high state of cultivation. He has become prominent in public affairs in his community and has held several offices of honor and trust. He served three years as Road Commissioner, twelve years as School Director, and has been several times a member of the grand jury of the county. He is a Democrat in politics. He affiliates with the United Brethren Church, and fraternally, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is an industrious and practical farmer and stands well among his neighbors, having won their universal esteem and respect.

Mr. Thompson was married at Waverly, Ohio, September 8, 1878, to Miss Anna M., daughter of John Frey, who now resides at Buffalo, Ili. Her parents were early settlers of Sangamon County, and the father (a sketch of whom appears in this work) owns considerable land there. Mrs. Thompson was born in Waverly, Ohio. To her and her husband, childreu were born as follows : Clinton M., Edward J., Bertha M., Esther L. and Harry B., living, and John W., Levina and Raymond, deceased. Clinton M. married Mlss Thursa Stubblefield, a native of Christlan County, and they now reside in Decatur, Ill. Mr. Thompson has been successful in his agrl- cultural operations and has reared a family of whom he may well be proud. He is identified with the best interests of his community, and always ready to espouse any worthy object.

. THOMPSON, Stanton H .- The retired farmers form an important element in the life of a com- inunity, especially in one that is located in the center of an agricultural district. Sangamon is the home of a number of small towns and vil- lages which prosper because of their retired farmer population, and one of these is the flour- ishing Illiopolis. One of the representative men of the class just mentioned is Stanton H. Thomp- son. He was born in Madison County, Ky., De- cember 8, 1834, a son of Leman and Mary (John- son) Thompson, the former born in 1807, and bothı natives of Kentucky. The grandfathers were both from Virginia, coming to Kentucky at a day early in its history. Leman Thompson was a farmer and continued his work until his death, in Kentucky. During the Civil War he was a member of the Home Guard, having the misfortune to be taken prisoner and confined three months. The ancestors on both sides of the house were Revolutionary soldiers, so the military spirit was not lacking in this family. Leman Thompson had seven children, four daughters and three sons, three of whom sur- vive. This most excellent man passed to his last reward in 1871, but hls widow survived him, living until 1903, and at her death was considera- bly over ninety years of age, the exact date of her birth, however, having been lost.

In the days when Stanton H. Thompson grew up there were but few educational advantages offered the farmer lad, but such as there were he eagerly grasped, attending the uncomfort- able log schools with their puucheon floors and

slab seats. During his boyhood he worked hard for his father, but in 1863 left Kentucky, com- ing to Moultrie County, Ill., where for twenty- slx years he was actively engaged in farming. He then went to Thayer County, Neb., there con- tiuuing hls farming on eighty acres of land which he bought, and which he still owns. For twenty-two years this continued to be his home, but iu 1902 he returned to Illinols and, selecting Illiopolis as his place of residence, bought a pleasant home there, where he is uow spending his declining years. During all his operations he was successful and can look back with satisfac- tion upou his well-spent life.

Mr. Thompson was married in Madison, Ky., November 1, 1855, to Lucy M. Stapp, born In Madison County, December 3, 1838, a daughter of Willlam and Charlotte (Layer) Stapp, farm- ing people of Kentucky, where both died. Mr. Stapp was Sheriff of Madison County for four- teen years as well as Justice of the Peace, and was a fearless and capable official. His death occurred when he was ninety-two years old. He had three daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of seven children, two of whom survive: Charles L., of Nebraska, and Martha, wife of Charles Havener, of Illlopolls, a carpenter by trade. There are thirteen grandchildren and four great-grand- children iu the family. In 190S the Thompsons heid a reunion at the family home, at which four generations were present, from the vener- able Mr. Thompson and his wife to the great- grandchildren, and the occasion was one that excited considerable comment and pleasant envy.

The Republican party has always had in Mr. Thompsou an ardent supporter, and he served fourteen years as School Director in Moultrie County. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, to which they give an earn- est and hearty support of both time and money. Mr. Thompson Is one of the best types of the prosperous farmer to be found In Sangamon County, and he and his family enjoy universal esteem, for they have won it by upright living and honest dealing.

TILLEY, John .- Springfield is a city of inter- est, uot only because of its historic connections and its indissoluble associations with the names of Lincoln and Douglas, but also on account of the character of the men who now live there. They are unusually Intelligent, capable and earn- est, striving towards good government, purity in politics and the beautifying of their city. One who can always be counted upon to support what- ever he believes will prove of benefit to the com- munity Is John Tilley, residing at No. 1710 North Eighth Street. He was born In Whitstable. County of Kent, England, February 4, 1847, eld- est son of Henry and Mary Ann ( Richardsou) Tilley, who had tweive children and died in Eng- land.

Jolin Tilley was educated In the English schools, attending them until he was sixteen years old, when he commenced fishing. The peo-

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ple in his native place were chiefly fishermen, and he followed the occupation of his forefa- thers, but was not conteut, so he left home, aud iu 1873 came to the United States. He took pas- sage at Liverpool for New York City, wheuce he came direct to Springfield, and for two years after his arrival in Sangamou County worked on a farm. He theu became au employe at the St. Nicholas Hotel, under the old proprietor, John McCrery. Marryiug, Mr. Tilley began working at the coal shaft, and has been a miner ever siuce.

On May 11, 1876, Mr. Tilley married Mary Kelly, daughter ot Denuis and Anu Kelly, who came to the United States. The young couple commenced housekeeping ou Mason Street, but in 1885 Mr. Tilley built hls present residence, and later erected another house just north of his home. Mr. and Mrs. Tilley have had the following children : Mayme, Mrs. George Robin- son, of this city ; Florence, Mrs. Henry St. Clair, of Aurora, Ill .; Harry, Jenuie and Frances, at home; John died at the age of teu years; Wil- llaru, Arthur and Eva, all at house. Mr. Tilley was reared in the Church of England, but be- came a convert to Catholicism when he married. He is a stanch Republicau, but has uever sought office. He belongs to the Court of Honor and the American Home Society. Honest, hard- working and frugal, Mr. Tilley is one of the men who form the back-boue of auy nation, and would be a desirable addition to any community into which he mulght move.

TIMCORE, John B. (deceased) .- Almost every civilized couutry in the world is represented among the people of Springfield. This Is but natural, for as all nations send thelr represen- tatives to our shores, so do the capitals of the States gather them at the centers of goveru- ment. Experience has shown that many of these people make excellent citizens, appreciating the better conditions here, and their children are among the most loyal and patriotic of our peo- ple. John B. Timcore, who for many years was a farmer in the vicinity of Springfield, was a native of Portugal, having been born January 29. 1831. What education he had was secured iu his native land during childhood, for he com- menced working when a lad of ten years, and never ceased until he laid down the burden of life. For many years he was a sailor, visiting all of the countries of the world. In later years he was accustomed to hold his visitors spellbound as he told of the wonders he had seen. He was twenty-two years old when he came to America, landing at Boston, aud he was the only one of his family to come here.

Mr. Timcore was married in Springfield, May 30, 1884, to Miss Jessie Mederause who came from Portugal the same year that she married. One child was born of this union, Mary, uow the wife of Elmer Roderick, and she has a son, El- iner. For half a century, Mr. Timcore was a well-known figure in Springfield and was loved by all who knew him, hls genlal, kindly nature

wlnuing him friends everywhere. While a strong Republicau, he uever thought of public office, beiug content with private life. The Presbyteriau Church of Springfield held his membership, and he was earnest in its good work. Mr. Timcore died March 16, 1909, on his farm three miles uorth of the city limits. His widow survives, makiug her home with Mrs. Roderick. The simple, geuerous nature of Mr. Timcore led him to adopt a quiet life. After he was gone his many good qualities were recog- nized, aud then fully appreciated.

TOBIN, John .- As men engaged in agricultural pursuits reach middle age, they usually begin to thiuk of retirement, their work being of such a nature as to exhaust their energies sooner than that required of men in other walks of life. When they finally declde to leave their faruis, they naturally look about for a suitable and pleasant place of residence, where they can en- joy their remaining years, surrounded by the comforts of urban life. A uumber of the farm- ers of Central and Southeru Illinois have selected Springfield as thelr final home, knowing that there they' can meet with all thelr require- ments, while their investments in city realty will be safe and profitable. One of the men who have thus proven their good sense and become loyal to the city, is John Tobin. He was born east of Columbus, Ohio, March 20, 1835, a son of Isaac and Matilda A. (Beuton) Tobin, the former born in Virginia and the later in Hagers- towu, Md. The father came to Saugamon Couuty in 1853, engaging in farming and thus continuing for about thirty years. At that time . he left the farm, moved to Springfield, and was engaged in couducting a grocery business there nutll his demise.

John Tobiu attended school iu Ohio and grew to manhood on the farm. He worked with his father iu Ohlo and In Sangamon County until he began traveling, but after six years of that occupation decided that he preferred farm life and the various lines of business associated with it, and engaged in stock buying. After several years' experience In the latter line, however, he returned to farming, thus continuing a few years, when he retired. Springfield has been his home for thirty-five years. In political faith he is a Democrat, but he has never taken any active part in local affairs.

Mr. Tobin was married in Morganfield, Ky., to Eliza J. Gillock, the ceremony occurring Oc- tober 11, 1863. She was born in Sangamon County, August 13, 1842, her father having come to the county in 1840, from Lexington, Ky. Her mother was a native of Ohio: Seven chil- dreu have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tobin, four of whom survive: Lucy, wife of Chester Swanwick, a furniture dealer of Sacramento. Calif .; Jessie, wife of Charles Raymond, pro- prietor of a large cafe in Chicago; Beatrice, wife of Henry Opel, of No. 1225 North Eighth Street, Springfield, iu the employ of the Illinois Watch Company, and Edward S., residing on

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the corner of Mason and Klein Streets, Spring- field, in the horse shoeing business. There are two grandchildren in the family. Mr. Tobin takes great pride in his children and grand- children, and is one of the rellable, substantial men of the community in whom those who know him have unlimited confidence.

TOBIN, Samuel A. (deceased) .- The records of Springfield show the names of a number of public-spirited men whose influence for good was not confined to their business affairs, but ex- tended to public activitles as well. Among those who were of great service to the city, although he led a quiet life and possessed an unassum- ing disposition, was the late Samuel Tobin, born in Guernsey County, Ohio, December 10, 1852, a son of Isaac and Matilda (Benton) Tobin, na- tives of Virginia. Mr. Tobin was educated in Sangamon County, and worked with his parents on the farm until he moved to Springfield. He studied until he secured a teacher's certificate, and taught school, becoming Principal of the schools of Rochester, Ill., but in 1890 returned to Springfield, which continued his home until his demise. After locating in the city perma- nently, he embarked in the mercantile trade, be- coming one of the most prosperous merchants there, and acted as Secretary of the Retail Mer- chants' Association. He also served eight years as Deputy Circuit Clerk. While he was a Dem- ocrat in politics, he took no active part in pub- lic matters, as he was too much engrossed with hls business affairs.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 151

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774