Angelo, Thomas M.

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers

1889


THOMAS M. ANGELO. All his life long the subject of this sketch has been familiar with agricultural pursuits, and that he has met with success, is but the natural result of his experience, perseverance and industry. He is the owner of a fine farm of 280 acres, located on sections 8, 9, and 10, township 14, range 11, the residence being on section 8. The most of his land is under a good state of cultivation, and he has comfortable farm buildings. He has made his home here for the long period of thirty-four years, having taken possession of the place in 1855. It is hardly necessary to say that it then bore little resemblance to its present condition, being in a wild state, without buildings or other improvements. It has taken years of labor and involved an outlay of thousands of dollars to bring the farm to a point which places it on an equality with those which have been built up by the better class of men in this county.

Mr. Angelo was born in Crawford County, Pa., May 25, 1825, and was brought by his parents to this county at an early day, they settling on what is known as Buck Horn Prairie. His father, James Angelo, was a native of New Jersey, and it is supposed was born of American parents. He was reared in his native State, and being of an adventurous disposition, went to sea and followed the life of a sailor until his marriage, which occurred not farm from Meadville, Crawford Co., Pa. His bride, Miss Lucy McDowell, was born and reared in that county, and was of an excellent family of Scotch ancestry.

After their marriage, the parents of our subject settled on a farm in Crawford County, where all their children, seven sons, were born, and all lived to mature years. Five were married, and four are yet living. Thomas M. was the youngest but one, and was a little boy of five when his parents came in 1830, to Illinois. The journey was made overland with teams, and upon their arrival in this county, the father purchased a claim on what is now Buck Horn Prairie, securing his title to the land when it came into the market. He with his family endured all the hardships and privations of life on the frontier, but he succeeded in gathering around him many comforts and built up a good home, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-five years. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, active, industrious and enterprising, in politics a sound Democrat, and in religion, a devout Methodist.

The mother of our subject survived her husband only about four weeks, dying at the age of seventy-five years. She also was a member of the Methodist Church, and was one of the typical pioneer wives and mothers who stood bravely by their husbands' side during the trying times of life in the wilderness, and were ever faithful and efficient helpmates. The children could only receive a limited education, but they were trained to habits of industry and economy, and the sentiments of honor which laid the basis of a character necessary to all good citizenship.

Our subject, upon reaching man's estate, desirous of establishing a fireside of his own, was first married in Macoupin County, Ill., to Miss Elizabeth Hoover, a lady of German descent, who was born and reared in that county, of which her parents were early settlers. Her father, Felix Hoover, died there. Of this union there were born three children, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hoover departed this life at her home in this county in April, 1864. Their eldest son, Samuel, married Miss Hattie Mawson, and lives on a farm in the same township as his father; Sarah J. is the wife of David N. Markillie, and they live on a farm in Scott County; William T. married Ellen Black, and is engaged as a practicing physician in California.

Mr. Angelo, in 1866, contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Mary J. (Horton) Marker, a native of Iowa, born and reared in Jefferson County. Of her first marriage there was one child, Samantha E., now the wife of Alonzo Groves, of Franklin, this county. Mrs. Mary J. Angelo died very suddenly while ministering to the wants of a sick son in Franklin. Of her marriage with our subject, there had been born two children, the eldest of whom, Alonzo E., married Mrs. Jennie Cassler, and they live on a farm in Sangamon County; George E. remains at home, the chief assistant of his father on the farm.

Our subject was married to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Polly (Horton) Stockton, April 4, 1889. This lady was born in Fulton County, this State, Aug. 6, 1855, and is the daughter of William and Sarah J. (Dennis) Horton, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Horton were married in Coshocton County, Ohio, where they began life together on a farm, and resided until after the birth of eight children. Then in the fifties, they came to this county, settling near its southern line where the father took up land and established a homestead upon which he lived until departing hence, about 1883, after he had reached his three-score years and ten. The mother survives, and is now seventy-six years old; she lives at the old farm in Fulton County, and is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.

Mrs. Polly Angelo was reared to womanhood under the parental roof, and was first married in Hancock County, this State, to C. W. Stockton, by whom she became the mother of two children, Ida and Eugene, who remain with her. Mr. Angelo, politically, is a sound Republican, and in religion is a Methodist. For twelve years he served as a Justice of the Peace. He is the Master of Lodge No. 332, A. F. & A. M. at Lynnville, in which he has filled all the chairs. He is also a member of Encampment No. 9, I. O. O. F., of Jacksonville, and of Subordinate Lodge No. 356, at Lynnville, in which he has filled all the chairs several times, and of which he is now Treasurer.


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