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THOMAS A. CANTRELL, Jefferson County is pre-eminently one of comfortable rural homes, there being no large cities within its limits. The soil being wonderfully fertile and the facilities for market excellent, a great number of agriculturists secure a competence by the cultivation of a moderate acreage. One of the successful farmers of McClellan Township is Thomas Cantrell, who operates sixty acres of land on section 13. Our subject was born in Hamilton County, ILL., September 6, 1837, and is one in a family of ten children born to his parents, Isaac and Nancy (Upchurch) Cantrell, natives of Tennessee. The father was a prominent farmer in Hamilton County, this state, whither he had removed and where he resided until his decease. The wife and mother also passed away in that county. Thomas A. being left fatherless when only three years of age, was obliged to support himself and mother as soon as old enough to do so, and was therefore given very few advantages for acquiring an education. He availed himself to the utmost of every opportunity for obtaining knowledge, and for a short time was a student in a pioneer school held in a log cabin with a puncheon floor. Remaining on the home farm until reaching his majority, our subject then hired out to work by the day at anything he could find to do, and later, learning and following the plasterer's trade, earned the money which enabled him to get a start in the world. In 1875 he moved to Saline County, ILL., where he made his home until 1880, the date of his advent into Mt. Vernon, where he was engaged in working at his trade until purchasing his fine farm in McClellan Township. May 3, 1863, Mr. Cantrell and Miss Harriet Swanner were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of Robert and Sarah (Sneed) Swanner, of Saline County, ILL., and by her union with our subject became the mother of three children. The only one now living, Sarah Almeta, is the wife of Dink Mosier and makes her home in Saline County. His wife having died, our subject chose as his second companion Miss Sarah Smith, with whom he was united in marriage November 7, 1876. Mrs. Cantrell, who is the daughter of Wilson Smith, of Saline County, is a lady of amiable disposition and kind heart, and is a prominent member of the Christian Church. Of the two children born of this union one died in infancy, and the other, John W. T. C., resides with his parents. Socially Mr. Cantrell is connected with Marion Lodge No. 13, I. O. O. F., at Mt. Vernon, and is also a member of Colman Post, G. A. R., of this city. In politics he always votes with the Republican party, and on that ticket he has been elected Constable on several occasions. A loyal citizen, he rendered his country valuable service as a Union soldier, and in August, 1862, joined Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He was mustered into service at Camp Butler, and during the entire period of the war was on guard and hospital duty.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer