THOMAS P. THAXTON, living on section 9, Rubicon township, where his farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres gives evidence in its well cultivated appearance of his careful supervision and practical methods, was born in Wrights township, Greene county, September 13, 1858. His father, P. J. Thaxton, was born October 29, 1832, on the farm on which he still resides in Wright township, the family having been established here in pioneer times. The grandfather, Dr. Clay Thaxton, was born in Halifax county, Virginia, in 1797, was reared there and after arriving at years of maturity came to Illinois, casting in his lot with the early settlers of Greene county. He entered the land from the government and developed the farm upon which his son P. J. Thaxton now resides, and there he reared a large family. He died September 19, 1890, at the age of ninety-two years.

P. J. Thaxton was reared and married here, Miss Mary Davidson becoming his wife. She was born in Wrights township, and her father, John Davidson, died when she was a child. Mr. Thaxton succeeded to the ownership of the family residence and a part of the land which his father had entered from the government. He has resided upon this place throughout his entire life, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, and he is now a hale and hearty man of seventy-two years, respected by all because of his fidelity to principles and right. His wife is also well preserved, and they are much respected in the community where they make their home.

Thomas P. Thaxton, one of a family of three sons, was educated in the public schools and remained upon the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Flowers, a native of Johnson county, Missouri, and a daughter of Garrett Flowers, who was a soldier of the Union army and died in the service. Mrs. Flowers then returned with her family to Illinois, settling in Greene county. Mrs. Thaxton was therefore reared in this county. Following their marriage the young couple removed to Johnson county, Missouri, where Mr. Thaxton engaged in farming until 1880. In March, 1881, he returned to Greene county and began farming on a tract of land of one hundred acres. This he began to farm and improve and later he bought more land, having now one hundred and thirty-eight and a half acres of land. He has remodeled and made additions to his house, has built a large barn and other outbuildings, and an orchard of his own planting affords a liberal supply of fruits for the winter's use. He raises good crops and also feeds stock, and he deserves much credit for the success he has achieved because he started out empty-handed, without financial assistance from any one. What he has gained has come as the direct result of his own labors, and he is now one of the substantial agriculturists of his community, having a rich tract of land under a high state of cultivation.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thaxton has been blessed with four sons and four daughters: George F., Cora, Viola, Lucy, Bessie, Charles C., Ira B. and Perry G. The parents are members of the Pleasant Point Baptist church and Mr. Thaxton belongs to Garfield camp, M. W. A. He has always supported the Democratic party, as his father did before him, his first presidential ballot being cast for Grover Cleveland. He was elected and served as constable, has been a member of the school board for a number of years, and is now acting as its president. He puts forth earnest effort in behalf of the improvement of the schools and is the champion of all community interests which are of beneficial character. His long residence in Rubicon township and his devotion to the general good have made him a valued citizen while his unflagging and well directed industry have won him a comfortable competence.