Craven L. Thomas
From the Portrait and
biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co. CRAVEN L. THOMAS, who now carries on general farming on
section 18, township 11 north, range 4 west, has spent his entire life in Henderson County, and is a representative
of one of its honored pioneer families. Mention is made of his parents on another page of this work, in connection
with the sketch of James M. Thomas. Our subject was born November 13, 1855, on the old homestead, and there spent
the days of his boyhood and youth. He acquired his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, which he
attended through the winter season, while in the summer months he aided in the labors of the field. Like a dutiful
son, he gave to his father the benefit of his services until twenty-one years of age, when, having attained his
majority, he left home and began life for himself. Throughout his business career, Mr. Thomas has carried on
agricultural pursuits. As he had no capital, at first he rented land, and continued the cultivation of property
belonging to others for a number of years, but at length, with the capital which he had acquired through his own
industry, enterprise and good management, he bought a farm of his own. In 1890, he became owner of one hundred and
two and a-half acres of good land. This he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and the well-tilled fields
and good improvements all indicate the careful supervision of the owner. On the 14th of February, 1877, in
Henderson County, Mr. Thomas was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary A. C. Johnson, a daughter of Godfrey Johnson.
Their union has been blessed with five children: Charles Edgar, Alexander A., William C, Walter E. and Hazel C. The
family circle yet remains unbroken, the children being still with their parents. In politics, Mr. Thomas is a
Democrat, but has no time for office-seeking. Socially, he is a member of Tranquil Lodge No. 193, I. O. O. F. He is
industrious, and his enterprise and perseverance have brought to him a comfortable competence, which is well
deserved. All who know him esteem him highly, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of
his life.
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