Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Thom, Alexander Jr 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 8:14 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Thom, Alexander, Jr. – Among the thoroughly reliable and substantial business 
men of Coal City, Ill., one who is advancing the commercial interests of his 
adopted city through his activities as directing head of the Thom Hardware 
Company, is Alexander Thom, Jr. Although a native of Scotland, he has resided 
in this city since childhood, and his entire business period has been spent 
here. He was born May 12, 1872, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth 
(Douglas) Thom.

Alexander Thom, Sr., was born at New Muckland, Scotland, in 1846, and is a son 
of George and Ann (Angus) Thom. His father was a butcher in Scotland, where he 
died in 1903, and his mother in 1867. They had nine children: Jessie, Ellie, 
George, John, Alexander, and four who died. Alexander Thom, Sr., entered the 
mines of his native land when ten years of age, and has been identified with 
mining all of his life. He first came to the United States in 1868, but 
returned to Scotland in the following year, and again came to this country in 
1879.  He has been a resident of Coal City since that year, has filled every 
position at the mines here, and is now county mine inspector of Grundy County. 
He was married in 1868 to Miss Elizabeth Douglas, of Scotland, who died in 
1903, having been the mother of nine children, namely: George, who is 
deceased; John, a resident of Coal City; Alexander, Jr.; Jennie, who died 
young; Anna, who is the wife of George Bates; Maggie, who is deceased; Jean, 
who is the wife of John Boal; Robert, a resident of Coal City, Ill.; and 
Jennie, who is the wife of Max Hanswaldt.

Alexander Thom, Jr., was but seven years of age when he was brought to the 
United States by his parents, and his education was secured in the public 
schools of Coal City, which he attended until his thirteenth year. At that 
time he entered the coal mines here, but after four years gave up that 
occupation to learn the trade of butcher, an occupation which he followed for 
twenty-one years. In 1909 Mr. Thom embarked in the hardware business in 
partnership with B. O. Mill, an association which has continued to the present 
time with mutual satisfaction and success. The Thom Hardware Company, as the 
business is known, handles a complete stock of furniture, hardware and farming 
implements of every description, and attracts its trade from all over Coal 
City and the surrounding country. Mr. Thom is a good business man, and in the 
management of his establishment has shown himself thoroughly conversant with 
the needs of his trade. His integrity and honesty have never been questioned, 
nor has his public spirit. He is a Republican, but has never sought office, 
but is at all times willing to enlist himself with those who are seeking to 
promote the community's welfare. He fraternizes with Scottish clans, and his 
religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

On April 23, 1902, Mr. Thom was married to Miss Keziah Smith, who was born at 
Braceville, Ill., and to this union there have been born three children: 
Elizabeth, Arabella and Edward.

page 908

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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