My Genealogy Hound

JOEL T. THOMSON, undertaker, Troy; another of the old and well-known citizens of Miami Co.; born in Troy, Sept. 8, 1819; was a son of Andrew and Catharine (Tullis) Thomson. His father was born in Virginia, and with his parents came to this county soon after the beginning of the present century; he served during the war of 1812, leaving his wife and two children in Troy; after his return he removed to Indiana, where he entered the land on which Muncie now stands, he being the first settler in that locality. After remaining three years in the above place he returned to Troy in 1824, only to meet the summons of death the night after his arrival. They were parents of six children, of whom the two youngest alone survive— John F. and our subject; the deceased are Jane, Sarah, Eliza David and Aaron. The latter was killed by a cow the spring following his father’s decease. His mother died in 1861, aged 67 years; his father dying when he was yet young, the care and comfort of his mother depended on him as he grew older; he was bound to a gentleman for five years to learn the cabinet trade, and after serving two and a half years, bought his time, went to Cincinnati, where he completed his trade after three years’ labor, doing work in various towns. Returning to Troy in 1840, he purchased an interest in an establishment, which he soon sold and invested in another, and since has been identified with the interests of Troy. In 1861, he ordered his hands to close up shop, that his country needed him, and must go to her defense. The boys, aroused by his patriotism, suggested that he remain and care for those who depended on them, and they would go, which they did, causing the abandonment of the cabinet business, and the founding of an undertaking establishment. Of the soldiers from this county who died in service and were buried here, he has carried seventy-eight out of eighty one to their last resting-place. In the broad acceptation of the term, he is no political aspirant, yet he has held many of the petty offices of the township. In 1841, he was married to Mahala Gilkerson, who has borne him eight children, six living— Emma, Charles E., Walter, Mary, Elmer E. and Nettie; the deceased— Frances and Wilbur; the latter, was robbed and murdered in Hartford, Conn., when 21 years of age. Mrs. T. was born in Kentucky in 1824.