My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS J. GREEN, of Percy, was born in Carroll County, Ark., on the 12th of December, 1851, and is a son of William and Millie (Weis) Green, who were also natives of the same state. He received hardly any educational advantages in his youth, but experience and observation have made him well informed. He spent his early life upon a farm, beginning work in the fields as soon as he was old enough to handle the plow. He soon became familiar with all the details of farm work and made a hand at harvest.

Mr. Green was a lad of only ten years when he left home and went to Dallas County, Mo., where he was employed as a farm hand for eleven years, when, in 1874, he came to Illinois, taking up his residence in Randolph County, where he has since made his home. The greater part of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. When he came to this county he secured a farm and with characteristic energy began its cultivation, and its well tilled fields soon yielded to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He also made good improvements, and his place was ever neat and thrifty in appearance. In July, 1892, he left the farm and came to Percy, where he has since made his home.

In October, 1877, Mr. Green was united in marriage with Jane (Weir) Lemond, a daughter of James and Jane (Downing) Weir, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. On leaving that state they removed to Ohio, and thence came to Illinois in 1851, settling in Randolph County, where they spent their remaining days. Mrs. Green has been four times married. Her first husband was John Larue, of Ohio. Frank, the only child of that marriage, is now living in Percy. She next married Charles G. Gruenigen, who died while in the Union army during the late war, leaving one son, Charles, who is yet living. His widow afterward became the wife of Thomas E. Lemond, who died leaving two children: Elmira, now the wife of Thomas Williams, of Randolph County; and David L., who married Laura E. Blanton and resides in Percy.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Green hold membership with the Methodist Church, contribute liberally to its support and are active workers in its interest. They are prominent and well known people of this community, and their friends are many in the neighborhood. In politics Mr. Green is a stalwart Republican, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office. His life was a hard one in his early youth, but by persistent energy, a courageous spirit and a strong determination, he overcame the obstacles in his path and steadily worked his way upward. As he did so, he acquired a comfortable competence, which now enables him to spend his declining years in retirement, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves.