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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. THOMAS REDMOND, (deceased); was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, about 1804; came to the United States when 16 years of age, and located in Vermont. He began the battle of life in the New World dependent entirely upon his own resources. He spent a number of years in the New England States actively employed at whatever work offered. He married Mary Dunlevy in Boston, and immediately started for St. Louis to seek a home and a fortune in the grand Mississippi Valley. After visiting several points higher up the river, he decided to settle in Quincy, and landed here July 3, 1837. Mr. Redmond had little else than willing hands and a fine practical business talent to start with in the young city, but enterprise and unflinching integrity rapidly won friends and started him on the high road to success. Having accumulated a little ready money, when the Northern Cross Railroad was being constructed between Quincy and Clayton, he secured a contract, bought horses and carts, and, in company with William Shannahan and Samuel Holmes, executed the work at a good profit. He continued as a contractor for a number of years, the firm at different times being known as Holmes, Redmond & Shannahan, Redmond, Dunlevy & Co., Redmond, Powers & Smith, and Redmond & Holmes. He invested his growing capital in real estate in and near Quincy, thereby laying the foundation for his large fortune. In 1848, having extensive financial interests in the city, he was elected a member of the City Council, and filled the office so satisfactorily that he was re-elected and held the position for many years. He was chosen Mayor to fill the vacancy caused by I. O. Woodruff’s resignation in 1860, and so acceptably did he perform the executive duties that he was re-elected three consecutive years following, making a term of service as Alderman and Mayor of twenty-one years. He resigned the office of Mayor in 1864 to accept a seat in the State Legislature, where he honored his position. At the expiration of the term Mr. Redmond devoted his attention to private business; but the people, not willing to dispense with his valuable services, some years later elected him Supervisor-at-Large, as a member of which Board he manifested his usual zeal and ability in the interests of his constituency. From that to his death, which occurred Dec. 20, 1878, he was chiefly occupied in looking after his large estate. Among his many sterling qualities, none shone brighter than his active benevolence. His heart and his purse were ever open to the petitions of the deserving poor and the suffering. Although his charities were many and liberal, and bestowed regardless of race or color, they were entirely without ostentation or display, the glad recipients seldom knowing from whom the blessings came.

His wife preceded him several years across the “dark river.” He left a family of three sons and four daughters, James, Mrs. Margaret Dick, Pat. H., Mrs. E. J. Williams, Katie C., Thomas and Mollie G. Redmond.

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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois

View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies

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