Thomas B. Mahan, sheriff of Cole County, is a native of Missouri, born in Cooper County February 27, 1845, and the son of Samuel B. and Martha Ann (Kirkpatrick) Mahan, natives of Missouri, and grandson of James Mahan, who was a native of Ireland. The paternal great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and settled in Virginia at an early date. James Mahan came to Missouri from the Blue Grass State at an early period in the history of Missouri, made a home in Cooper County, and in this county Thomas B. Mahan attained his growth. In 1863 he came to Cole County, Mo., engaged in farming, and has been identified considerably with that industry in the county since. He has also been connected with mercantile business. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of Cole County, and has been re-elected once since. He was married in that county, in 1865, to Miss Priscilla Gordon, a native of Cole County, and the daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Askin) Gordon. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahan's marital relations were born six children, two sons and four daughters: Ida A., wife of Edward Moran, of Saline County, Mo.; Minnie M., Caroline, Samuel A., Charles Clinton and Leona. Mr. Mahan and wife are members of the Southern Methodist Church, and are much esteemed and respected citizens. Mr. Mahan served two terms as alderman of his ward (the Fourth), of Jefferson City, being elected without opposition. He is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is a K. P.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).