CHINN, Thomas M    Lafayette Co, MO Biography

From "Portaits and Biographical Record of Lafayette and Saline Counties,  MO", 1893 

Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Marilyn Ainsworth <mains@cox-internet.com>

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Pages 434-435: 

   Thomas M. Chinn, one of the leading stock-dealers of La Fayette County, and a resident of
the pleasant little village of Mayview, was born in Shelby county, Ky., March 8, 1849.  His 
parents were among the well-known people of their locality in the State of Kentucky, Hector A.
and Harriet (Wells) Chinn, both being descendants of English ancestors.

   In 1859 the family migrated to La Fayette County, Mo., where the mother died in 1860, the 
father surviving her until 1886, when his life closed in Higginsville, Mo.  He had been twice 
married, his second wife having been Mrs. Sarah Barton, and the children that survive are as 
follows:  Mrs. Eliza Lindsay, Thomas M., George W., Benjamin S., Alice and Sallie.  In Shelby 
County, Ky., Mr. Chinn served as Circuit Clerk for sixteen years; he was elected School Com-
missioner of La Fayette County, Mo.,  about 1867 but was disfranchised by the Fletcher admini-
stration of that year.  For a number of years prior to his demise he engaged in the practice 
of law, and was a man of energy and force of character, qualities which admirably adapted him 
for his legal profession.

  Our subject was reared upon the home farm in this county, where he attended the public 
schools and passed his time in much the usual manner of farmer boys until he became old 
enough to think of engaging in business for himself.  The stock business presented to him 
opportunities of which he was not slow to take advantage. For three years he served as General 
Live-stock Agent of the Chicago @ Alton Railroad for the State of Missouri, and for a short 
time carried on a business of this kind in Kansas City.  At the present time he is the owner 
of two farms, besides being a stockholder and Director of the American Bank of Higginsville, 
and this prominence he has achieved for himself, having had little assistance in climbing 
the ladder of fortune.

   In 1879 our subject married Miss Ottie V., a daughter of Mayor A. L. Benning and sister 
of T. B. Benning, a prominant citizen of Mayview, whose sketch appears in another part of 
this volume.  One child, Bessie Bell, has been born to this union, a bright and charming 
little girl.  Mr. Chinn is a member of the Village Board of Trustees, having been Chairman 
of the same, and is considered one of the stanch supporters of all measures good for the 
public good.  A Democrat in his political opinions, he is always willing to give his time 
and means to support that party, and has served on its county committee.  In his business 
ventures, Mr. Chinn has been unusually successful, and if a man's happiness depends upon 
his popularity in his home neighborhood, then he should be a very happy man indeed.