Biographies

ROBERT LOMAX, a representative of one of the prominent families of Henderson County, is now living in the village which bears the family name. He is widely and favorably known in this locality, and we feel assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Clinton County, near Wilmington, April 27, 1813, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Wiggins) Lomax. The family is of English origin, and the father was born in North Carolina. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade and followed that for a number of years. He continued his residence in his native State until 1812, when he removed to Clinton County, Ohio, making the trip by team. There he entered one hundred and forty acres of land from the Government, a tract of heavy timber, and in the midst of the forest he erected a log cabin and hewed out a farm. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1844, when he made an overland trip to McDonough County, Ill., purchasing a farm, on which he lived for two years. He then came to Henderson County and bought a three hundred acre farm, upon which the village of Lomax was built. His death there occurred in the ninety- third year of his age, and he was laid to rest in Blandinsville Cemetery. He held membership with the Christian Church, and also belonged to the Masonic fraternity. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of thirteen children, but Lydia, William, Sarah, Rachel, Eliza, Abel and Jesse are now deceased. Elizabeth is the wife of Elisha Knox, who is residing in Bureau County, Ill. Robert is the next younger. Sarah is living in Jacksonville. Ill. James is an attorney-at-law of San Francisco, Cal. Alfred is a farmer of Elmer, Mo.; and Nancy also makes her home in Elmer, Mo.

Upon the old home farm in the Buckeye State Robert Lomax was reared. His education was acquired in the subscription schools, held in a log schoolhouse, but his advantages in that direction were somewhat limited.

On attaining his majority he began the operation of the old homestead, and continued farming in Ohio until 1848, when he came by team to Illinois. After two years spent in McDonough County, he became a resident of Henderson County, and for three vears engaged in farming with his father near Lomax.

On the expiration of that period we find him in Blandinsville, where he purchased a flouring-mill and for four years engaged in the milling business.

His next home was in Warsaw, where he carried on a hotel for a period of twelve years. He then came to Henderson County and purchased three hundred acres of land. He still owns two hundred acres of this, besides several homes in the village of Lomax.

On the 2d of January, 1851, Mr. Lomax was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Millis, and to them were born three children: James and William, who died in infancy; and Frank, who married Emma Rollen, by whom he has four children: William, Frederick, Lester and Robert M.

Mrs. Lydia Lomax was called to her final rest November 6, 1893, and was buried in Terre Haute Cemetery. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a lady who possessed many excellencies of character.

In early life Mr. Lomax was an old-line Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. He has served as Justice of the Peace, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests.

He belongs to the Christian Church, and is a warm friend of the cause of education, and of all other interests and enterprises which are calculated to prove of public benefit. His life has been well and worthily passed, and the community recognizes in him one of its valued citizens.

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.