Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Carson, Thomas February 9, 1827 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 6:48 am

Author: Bio/Gen Rec LaSalle/Grundy Counties 1900

Thomas Carson

It has surely been not uninteresting to observe, in the series of biographical 
sketches appearing in this volume, the varying nationality origin and early 
environments of men who have made their way to positions of prominence and 
success. In no better way can we gain a conception of the diverse elements 
which have entered into our social, professional and commercial life, and 
which were imparted to the future American type, features which cannot be 
conjectured at the present time. Scotland has furnished her quota of men of 
worth who have contributed to the improvement and development of the country, 
becoming reliable and trustworthy citizens. Of this number Mr. Carson is a 
representative.

He was born in the land of hills and heather, February 9, 1827, his parents 
being William and Grace (Maxwell) Carson. The father was a coal operator and 
for many years engaged in mining, spending his entire life in the land of his 
nativity. He was twice married, and the children of the first union were John, 
who died in Cincinnati, Ohio; David, who died in Scotland; Robert, who died in 
Iroquois county, Illinois; William, who died in Scotland; Elizabeth and Grace, 
who passed away in Scotland; James, whose death occurred in Virginia; Mary, 
twin sister of our subject, now residing in Scotland; and Bryce, who makes his 
home in Virginia. After the death of his first wife the father was again 
married, and by the second union had a son, Alexander, who also died in 
Scotland.

In early life Thomas Carson, of this review, engaged in mining, and was also 
employed as an engineer. In 1851, when twenty-four years of age, he came to 
the United States and making his way to Cincinnati secured employment in the 
water-works there. Later he worked in the new courthouse in Cincinnati, his 
task being to punch and prepare the iron used in the construction of the 
building.  Subsequently he removed to a little town near Youngstown, Ohio, 
where he was employed in an iron smelter.

Mr. Carson first visited Morris in 1856, but afterward returned to Youngstown, 
and in 1857 again came to Morris, where he has since made his home. Here he 
became interested in coal-mining, operating the mines under a lease for 
several years. In 1861 he was married, and soon afterward he and his wife 
opened a hotel near the depot known as the Carson House. This they 
successfully conducted for more than thirty years, and their untiring industry 
and capable management brought them prosperity. In his mining operations Mr. 
Carson was also successful, and about ten years ago, placing the hotel in 
charge of his son-in-law, William R. Allan, he retired from active business 
life to enjoy through his remaining days the rest which he has so truly earned.

Mrs. Carson bore the maiden name of Jane Sharp. She, too, was a native of 
Scotland, born May 26, 1826. Her parents, William and Janet (Banks) Sharp, 
spent their entire lives in Scotland. She was married, in that country, to 
Andrew Patrick, and in 1849 they came to the United States. Soon after 
establishing their home in Morris Mr. Patrick died. There was one child born 
of that union, a daughter, Janet B., now the wife of William Allan, the 
proprietor of the Carson House.

In politics Mr. Carson is a stanch Republican and has frequently been selected 
for important offices, but has always declined, preferring to devote his time 
and energies to the business interests. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian 
church, which they both attended regularly, contributing liberally to its 
support. Mr. Carson started out in life a poor man, but with the assistance of 
his estimable wife, who has indeed proved a helpmeet to him, he has steadily 
worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His business interests 
enabled him to form a wide acquaintance, with which his circle of friends is 
almost co-extensive. In manner genial, in disposition kindly, he won the 
regard of all with whom he came in contact and as a representative citizen of 
Morris he well deserves mention in this volume.

Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p545-546

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