My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS A. SAXTON, farmer, Sec. 5, Town 21; P. O. Farmer City; born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Dee. 12, 1826; at 11 years of age his father died and Thomas, being the oldest son, devoted all his energies toward the support of the family; at 21 years of age he commenced as farm laborer, being employed by one party seven years in succession. He then rented land and followed farming and threshing until 1864, when he sold his threshing-machine, some farm machinery and stock and located upon the farm of J. Keenan, West Township, McLean Co., Ill., and followed farming and stock-raising until 1872, when he purchased his present place of 160 acres on Sec. 5, and, in 1875, settled upon the same, where he has since lived; he has brought the same to a good state of cultivation, divided in forty-acre lots, and upon which he has good farm buildings. His marriage with Mary Jane Healea was celebrated Nov. 11, 1852; she was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, April 19, 1827; they were the parents of five children, of whom one is deceased; the living are — Mrs. Sarah M. Grizzell, born Jan. 22, 1854, living in Barton Co., Kan.; Mary M., Feb. 3, 1858, married and lives in Ohio; Joseph F., Jan. 11, 1860, and William F., Jan. 27, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Saxton, with their two oldest children, are members of the M. E. Church, the parents having been members for the past eighteen years, and Mr. S. having filled the office of Steward of the church both in Ohio and Illinois as well as several town and school offices.