Biography - Thomas McWilliams
Thomas McWILLIAMS, deceased, son of Alexander and Nancy (KIRKPATRICK) McWILLIAMS, was born in Hillsboro Township, Montgomery County, in July, 1822. He received an ordinary education, and learned the wagon-maker's trade. He served in the Mexican war under Capt. McADAMS, and for his services received a land warrant of 160 acres, in addition to which he entered, in 1848, the land on which his widow now resides. He married, in1850, Susan Jane BARRY, daughter of John BARRY, and from this union eight children were born, of whom two sons and four daughters are living. The names of the eight children are as follows: Sarah E. (died at two years of age), John Newton, Nancy P., Amanda J., Mary Alice A., William Henry (died at eighteen years of age), Franklin W. and Minnie. Previous to his marriage, he had erected a log cabin on his land, had broken a few acres and fenced a small tract; he afterward built a shop near his residence, where he worked at his trade, principally on repairing; he also worked at the carpenter's trade, and assisted in the erection of his own residence and outbuildings; he, however, devoted his time chiefly to farming, and owned at his death 452 acres of land, which he had accumulated chiefly by his own labor, although his health was broken down by his army services; the homestead farm of 280 acres he kept in a good state of cultivation. He was a supporter of the Democratic party.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 155-156.
