THOMAS C. HUSSEY, the oldest grain shipper along the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, having continued in the business for thirty-seven consecutive years, has gained the success which always crowns earnest, persistent effort, when supplemented by keen discrimination and sagacity. Without any family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career he worked his way steadily upward and is today one of the most respected and valued citizens of Carrollton.

A native of Highland county, Ohio, Thomas C. Hussey was born February 16, 1841, his parents being William and Ann (Clauser) Hussey, the former a native of Highland county, Ohio, and the latter of Ross county, that state. The ancestry of the family in America can be traced back to the time of the arrival of the Mayflower off the coast of Massachusetts, one of its passengers being the progenitor of the Hussey family in the new world. The grandfather, Joshua Hussey, was born in New England, and at an early day in the settlement of Ohio went to that state, settling in what is now Highland county. He cast in his lot among its pioneer settlers, his nearest neighbor being five miles away. The county was heavily timbered and in the forest were wolves and other wild animals, while wild game could be had in abundance. There were many hardships and trials to be endured and the family lived in true pioneer style, the grandfather following the occupation of farming. He was very successful for his time and he aided materially in opening up Highland county for the purposes of civilization. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Cox and was a native of South Carolina.

William Hussey was reared amid frontier scenes and environments and inherited a part of the old family homestead in Ohio. He also received from his brother the latter's share of the original homestead and later he purchased land until he had three hundred acres, constituting a fine farm, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He was quite successful in his agricultural pursuits and was accounted one of the public spirited men of his community, ever looking to the best interests of the county. He married Miss Ann Clauser and as the years passed they became the parents of nine children.

Thomas C. Hussey, the fourth member of the family, acquired his education in the public schools, which he attended through the winter months, and in the summer seasons he aided in the labors of the farm. He remained in Ohio until 1861, when he came to Greene county, Illinois, with his brother Simon, who had located in the county four years previously and was engaged in farming. At the time of Thomas Hussey's arrival they purchased a steam thresher, the first in the county, and continued its operation for five years, making money in this undertaking. They then bought a portable sawmill and sawed a large amount of walnut timber on the Eldred property. In 1867 they built an elevator on the railroad in the eastern part of the town, near the Chicago & Alton depot, and Thomas C. Hussey has since engaged in the grain trade, covering a period of thirty-seven years, making him the oldest shipper in years of continuous business on this road. His brother died in 1872, the partnership between them continuing to that time with mutual pleasure and profit. The brother left three children, one of whom is Horace, now a resident of Quincy, Illinois.

Thomas C. Hussey was married January 1, 1868, to Miss Nana J. Sanderson, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Joel and Olive Sanderson, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. The family home is an elegant residence near the square, tastefully and attractively furnished and an air of hospitality pervades the place.

Mr. Hussey is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his political views is a Republican. He has been prominent and influential in public affairs here, has been connected with the municipal government and has filled the office of mayor, giving to the city a public-spirited and business-like administration. Coming to Greene county when twenty years of age, the entire period of his manhood has been passed within its borders as an active factor in industrial and commercial life. He is entirely free from self-laudation or ostentation but the real worth of his character and his justice in all his dealings with his fellowmen have made him known and honored throughout the community with which he has so long been identified.