THOMAS W. THACKER is a gentleman who has attained much prominence in the township in which he resides, because of his broad intelligence, liberal views, public-spirited measures and from the fact that in himself he is a dynamic force stirring others to profitable actions. He is the owner and resident on a fine farm located on section 7, Nilwood Township and the thoroughness that characterizes his dealings with mankind in everyday life is also seen in every feature of his well-improved and finely cultivated farm.
Our subject is a son of Z. Thacker of whom a sketch appears on another page of this volume. He was born in North Palmyra Township, November 29, 1844, and was reared to manhood in Macoupin County, there receiving a good common-school education, after which he attended Earlham College at Richmond, Ind. He is also a graduate of Jones Commercial College of St. Louis, MO. Mr. Thacker absorbed all the benefits that could be derived from college life and today his intellectuality and the advantages that he gained from his college life are felt in his intercourse with his less favored brother farmers.
The young man's sense of patriotism was fired when the call was made for volunteers to fight for the old flag. He entered the army August 10, 1862, joining Company H, of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment. He served from that time until August 4, 1865 when he was discharged at Springfield, Ill. That bloody period was impressed upon his mind indelibly by participation in some of the desperate engagements of the war. He was at Parker's Roads, Tenn., and at Paducah, Ky., also at Town Creek, Ala., Tupelo, Miss, Nashville, Tenn., and at Ft. Blakely, Ala. After the war was over and our subject had received his discharge he returned to his father's home his health being greatly impaired by the privations suffered in the war.
On March 24, 1867, Mr. Thacker was married near Girard, Ill., to Miss Julia A. Lynch, a daughter of the late Alfred and Elizabeth (Bristow) Lynch. The lady's family were among the first settlers in this section of the country, coming to this State at a very early day. They died in Girard Township. Mrs. Julia Thacker was born in Macoupin County, November 2, 1847 and here passed the early days of her childhood. After the marriage of the young couple they settled a little east of Girard and lived there for about five years after which they located on a farm where our subject now lives. He has improved his place greatly since his advent hither and has erected good buildings, having a pleasant home that is delightfully presided over by his cultured and amiable wife. For two years Mr. Thacker lived in Kansas, this change being made on account of his health. He returned however to his farm where he has ever since lived. He now owns three hundred and eighty acres of good land, to which he unreservedly gives his attention. He engages in general farming and stock raising.
The original of this sketch and his wife are the parents of six children, they are: Nola E. who is the wife of Joseph D. Francis; William W., Jennie, Julia B., Thomas and John A. Logan. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Thacker was a candidate for the County Treasurer on the Republican ticket. He was defeated by his Democratic opponent, A. Frey. He has filled the office of Assessor, Collector and School Trustee. His sympathies and vote is with the Republican party. he takes a great deal of interest in all local affairs, especially in those that promise material advancement to the locality. Socially Mr. Thacker is a member of Luke Mayfield Post No. 516, G.A.R., of Girard. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Our subject and his wife are attendants and members of the Baptist Church, of which body he is superintendent of the Sunday school.