THOMAS J. RAFFETY. - The commercial activity and development of Carrollton find a promoter in Thomas J. Raffety, who as a member of the firm of Raffety & Carmody is engaged in the hardware business. He was born in Rubicon township, Greene county, on the 1st of July, 1855, and is descended from an old Kentucky family. His parental grandparents, Richard and Martha (Caudle) Raffety, were both natives of Kentucky, in which state they made their home. In September, 1829, Thomas B. Raffety came to Illinois, settling in Greene county among its pioneer residents and secured a tract of land on sections 6 and 7, Rubicon township, five and a half miles northwest of Greenfield, and there he carried on farming until his death, taking an active interest in the early development and improvement of this part of the state. His original farm is now in possession of his son, Thomas J. Raffety.

Thomas B. Raffety, the father of our subject, was born in Franklin, Simpson county, Kentucky, January 12, 1812, and after arriving at years of maturity was married September 3, 1833, to Miss Mary Wristen, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, born January 7, 1815, and a daughter of Basil Wristen, who was also born in that state. The Wristen, like the Raffety family, was established in America in colonial days. Reared to the occupation of farming, Thomas B. Raffety followed that pursuit throughout his entire business career, remaining upon the old family homestead until 1883, when he retired form business cares and established his home in Roodhouse, where he spent his remaining days. He was a good citizen, a representative man and a devoted member of the Baptist church. His interest in material, intellectual and moral progress of his community was deep and sincere and was manifest in tangible form in his active cooperation in every movement tending to benefit the county. His business career was characterized by unfaltering energy and reliability.

In a family of ten children Thomas J. Raffety is the youngest and like the others of the family he obtained his early education by attending the district school near his father's farm, while later he became a student in the high school in Carrollton. He then returned to the old home farm and through the winter months he engaged in teaching school, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the field, his time being passed in this manner for six years. He gave up the work of the schoolroom and of the farm in order to discharge the duties of office to which he was elected. He has long exercised a strong influence in public affairs and his known loyalty to the public good and his capability have led to his selection for official service. When only twenty-one years of age he was chosen justice of the peace and in 1888 he was elected clerk of the circuit court and recorder, filling that position for four years. His course gave such uniform satisfaction that he was again elected in 1896 and served until 1900, and he retired from office as he had entered it - with the confidence and good will of all. In the meantime he had become a factor in commercial circles in Carrollton, having in 1895, engaged in the hardware business in the Kergher block on the south side of the square, in partnership with M. J. Carmody, under the firm name of Raffety & Carmody. They remained at their first place of business until 1898, when they removed to their present commodious quarters in the Masonic Temple. Since 1900 Mr. Raffety has given his attention exclusively to the business and has succeeded in developing a profitable commercial enterprise. The firm carry a large line of shelf and heavy hardware and their energy and enterprise have resulted in bringing them gratifying success.

On the 11th of March, 1880, Mr. Raffety was married to Jennie Cooper, a native of Greene County, Illinois, who died on the 10th of March, 1885. She was a daughter of W. T. Cooper, now deceased and a granddaughter of E. L. Cooper, who lived to over one hundred years of age. The children born of this marriage were Erma and Pearl, the former now Mrs. McDavid, of Hillsboro, Illinois, while the latter died in February, 1901. On the 1st of March, 1887, Mr. Raffety was again married, his second union being with Miss Carrie Kleckner, of Highland county, Ohio, whose parents still reside in that state. They have one son, Clive.

Mr. Raffety was made a Mason at Greenfield in 1885 and was knighted at Carrollton in the fall of the same year. He is now a member of Carrollton lodge, No. 50, A.F. & A.M.; Carrollton chapter, No. 77, R.A.M.; and Hugh De Payens commandery, No. 29, of Carrollton, and the Knights of Pythias lodge, of Greenfield. He belongs to the Methodist church and his influence is ever given on the side of justice, truth, right and progress. In all life's relations, whether in office or as a private citizen, in business or social circles, he is an honorable and honored gentleman.