Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Thom, Alexander Sr 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 8:14 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Thom, Alexander, Sr. – The career of Alexander Thom, Sr., county mine 
inspector of Grundy County, Ill., has been one of constant industry from early 
youth. A resident of Coal City since 1879, he is one of his community's best 
known citizens, and his long and varied experience in mining operations makes 
him one of the most valued men of his calling in the state. Mr. Thom is a 
native of New Muckland, Scotland, born March 17, 1846, and is a son of George 
and Ann (Angus) Thom. His father was a butcher in Scotland, where he passed 
his entire life and died in 1903, while Mrs. Thom passed away in 1867. They 
were the parents of nine children: Jessie and Allie, who still live in 
Scotland; George; John, a resident of Coal City, Ill.; Alexander, of this 
review; and four who are deceased.

Alexander Thom received only limited educational advantages, as when he was 
but ten years of age he began to be partly self-supporting by entering the 
mines of his native locality. His first employment was at putting checks on 
cars, for which he received twelve cents per day, but his faithfulness, 
industry and enterprise gained him promotion, and for one year he was 
assistant to the government man. Subsequently he returned to the mine as a 
coal pusher, and for a time following was engaged in prospecting, but in 1868 
decided to try his fortunes in the United States, and accordingly came here 
and located in the mining country of Pennsylvania. Mr. Thom remained there but 
one year, however, then going hack to Scotland, where he continued ten years. 
He came to the United States a second time in 1888, this time as a permanent 
resident, and almost immediately settled in Coal City, Ill. Here his 
advancement has been steady and continuous, and he has held every position in 
the mines of this city. In 1908 he was made county mine inspector, a position 
which he still holds. During the thirty-five years in which he has lived at 
Coal City he has become widely acquainted, and everywhere is known as an 
expert in his vocation, a public-spirited citizen, and a loyal friend.

In 1868 Mr. Thom was married to Miss Elizabeth Douglas, of Scotland, who died 
in 1903, in Coal City, having been the mother of nine children: George, who is 
deceased; John, a resident of Coal City; Alexander, one of the proprietors of 
the Thom Hardware Company, at Coal City; Jennie, who is deceased; Anna, the 
wife of George Bates; Maggie, who is deceased; Jean, the wife of John Boal; 
Robert, of Coal City, Ill.; and Jennie, the wife of Max Hanswaldt, who has one 
child, Otto. Mr. Thom is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to 
the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed through the chairs. He takes a 
good citizen's interest in public matters and supports Republican candidates 
and principles.

pages 908-909

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

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