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From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb April 25, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

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THOMAS R. MAJOR

	Thomas R. Major, interested in general farming and stock-raising,
four miles east of Cedonia, Stevens county, was born in Ohio, Belmont
county, June 9, 1856.  John A. Major, his father, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, was born in 1812, and was one of the pioneers of Belmont
county, where he died in June, 1885.  The mother, Mary A. (Hawthorne)
Major, is a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and is now living on the
old Belmont homestead, aged seventy-seven years.  The ancestors of our
subject, on both sides of the house, were from Ireland.
	Thomas R. Major attended the public schools in his neighborhood,
and obtained a fair business education.  On February 3, 1876, he was
married to Mary A. Stillwell, a native of Belmont county, born January
20, 1859.  Her father, James V. Stillwell, was engaged in mercantile
pursuits near Pleasant Grove, Ohio, for forty or fifty years, was
postmaster, and now, at the close of his business career, is quietly
living near his birthplace at the age of seventy-six years, with his wife, 
the mother of Mrs. Major.  The latter is seventy-four years of age,
and is a native of the same county and state.  Mrs. Major has two brothers
and two sisters, John C. Stillwell, Elias Stillwell, Mrs. Adaline Naylor, 
and Mrs. Clara Babb.  Our subject has, also, two brothers and two
sisters, Samuel and Rev. W.A., and Catherine and Clarisa.
	In 1878 our subject left Ohio, going to Wichita, Kansas, where,
until 1889, he was engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
In the spring of 1889 he located on his present homestead on Harvey 
creek, surrounded by only a few straggling settlers.  Since that period,
however, he has traveled extensively over a large portion of the
northwest.  He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, fenced and 
improved, a six-room house, good barn and bearing orchard.  Harvey 
creek traverses his property.  He raises hay, grain, cattle and hogs.
He is a member of the local camp of the W.W., and his wife is a member
of the Circle Women of Woodcraft.  They have six children, John I., of
Wilcox, Whitman county, who married Nellie Harper; Charles S.; Clara
Elmira; Mary Theora; Thomas Oscar and James S.