Transcribed by: Mary Ann Kaylor

THOMAS H. STRATTON was born in Robinson county, Tennessee, October 6th, 1823. Robinson Stratton, his father, was a native of Virginia. On the paternal side of the family were of English ancestry, and on the maternal Welsh. Robinson Stratton married Nancy Miles. She was a native of North Carolina. Six children were born to them, four of whom are living. The father died in Tennessee in 1834; the mother died in Macoupin county at the residence of her son Thomas in 1850.

The subject of our sketch had the advantage of a good education in his boyhood. He remained at home until after his father's death in 1834, when, in company with his mother, he came to Illinois the year following, and settled in the community in which he now resides. They were induced to come here on account of their relative, Colonel Miles. Thomas worked upon a farm for some time, after which he bought land, and continued the cultivation of the soil up to the present time. On the 6th of November, 1855, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Elworthy, who is a native of Somersetshire, England. She is the daughter of James and Nancy Elworthy. They emigrated to America and settled in Macoupin county in 1842. Nine children have been born to them, eight of whom are living - five boys and three girls. Nancy L. married Alonzo Florida, who is a farmer and resident of Jersey county, Illinois. In politics Mr. Stratton is a democrat, and cast his first vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and since that time has adhered to that party. He is not a member of any church organization, nor does he subscribe to any of the formulated creeds. He has been successful in life so far as the accumulation of this world's goods are concerned, and he also has the proud consciousness of knowing that all was secured by his own toil, industry and frugality. In the community he is regarded as an honorable man and estimable citizen.