Biographical Sketch of Thomas K. STERRETT (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 298-9. "THOMAS K. STERRETT, deceased, was one of the active, talented, and pros- perous men of the last generation, who inheriting great business ability, possessed also the rarer gift of utilizing each power of mind and making every faculty contribute to his usefulness and success in life. He was a son of John and Margaret (Hagar) Sterrett, and was born May 6, 1830, in Warwick township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. His early education was obtained in the common schools, but he subsequently took a full academic course, and acquired a fine classical education, together with a practical business training. Leaving school, he accepted a responsible position with the firm of A. M. Campbell & Co., of the city of Philadelphia, in whose business his father, John Sterrett, was owner, where he became book- keeper and general manager. This position gave him ample scope for the exercise of those accurate methods in looking after details and that fine executive ability which became his distinguishing characteristics. To his watchful care and able management was largely due the great success of this prosperous firm, and with it he remained for a period of between twenty and twenty-five years. In May, 1879, he practically retired from active business, and returning to his native county, settled at Warwick Furnace, where he was afterward appointed postmaster, and served in that capacity for a number of years. It was a matter of comment that the postal affairs of the town were never more accurately managed nor more satisfactorily conducted than during his administration of the office. Mr. Sterrett was also a large stockholder in the Pottstown National Iron bank, and was serving as director of that financial institution at the time of his death. He died at his home in Warwick April 21, 1890, in the sixtieth year of his age. In political faith he was a democrat, and his sympathies were always with the great mass of the people. He was broad and liberal in his views, but devotedly attached to the idea of popular government - a government which should secure equal rights for all and allow special privileges to none. "On July 2, 1867, Mr. Sterrett was united in marriage with Mary R. Baker, a daughter of Bassett and Catherine Baker, of the city of Philadelphia. This union was blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, named Mary Maud, who was born September 30, 1868, in Philadelphia. On September 27, 1892, Mary Maud Sterrett was united in marriage with H. Clarence McMichael, son of Belinda and William McMichael, of Upper Uwchlan, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and they now live with her mother in their handsome home at Warwick. Mrs. Mary A. Sterrett was born July 17, 1836, in Philadelphia, is a woman of intelligence and refinement, and possesses remarkable busi- ness capacity. She is sole manager of a fine farm containing five hundred acres of valuable land, beside which she owns part of another excellent farm, and controls an interest in the business of a prosperous firm in Philadelphia. "John Sterrett, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Warwick township, this county, August 31, 1796, where he grew to manhood. His occupation was that of miller, and he erected and for many years operated the mill now owned by Frank James. He sold out, came to the city, and when Thomas K. Sterrett married, lived with his son, also coming back with him to Warwick, at which place he died March 26, 1888. He was placed in St. Mary's cemetery. He was a man of great energy and good business ability, and became very prosperous in later life. He married Margaret Hagar, and was the father of six children, all now deceased, of whom Thomas K., the subject of this sketch, was the youngest. The others were Margaret, James, Catharine, William, and John R. Politically John K. Sterrett was a stanch democrat, kept well posted on the questions of his day, and was always active in support of democratic principles. In reli- gious faith and church membership he was an Episcopalian, and his death occurred at his home in Warwick township, March 26, 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His funeral took place on Easter Sunday, March 28, at which time his remains were followed to their last resting place in St. Mary's cemetery by a large concourse of relatives, friends, and neighbors, among whom his entire life had been spent, and in whose hearts his memory was deeply cherished."