Weese, Thomas bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 363; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Thomas Weese, who ranks among the prosperous agriculturists of Pleasant Township, was born in Fulton County July 2nd, 1849. His parents, John and Elizabeth, commonly called Betsy, Weese, were among the early settlers of this county, the father having been born in the State of Tennessee. He was quite a young man when he came here, and was three times married, our subject being the only child born to his first marriage. He settled in Pleasant Township while the country around here was scarcely more than a "forest primeval" and like most of the pioneers was forced to endure many hardships and privations. He was a man possessing great strength of character and excellent judgment, and was largely instrumental in bringing about the wonderful transformation that changed a land covered with timber to fertile and valuable farms. He was, in politics, in sympathy with the Democratic party, and took great interest in supporting all political matters that tended to the improvement of county and State. He also exerted great influence in social circles and was a man much beloved and respected by his neighbors. He left a large and valuable estate, at the time of his death.
The subject of our sketch inherited sufficient money to give him a good start in life, and the scenes familiar to his childhood are all in this county, and his interest in the progress of Pleasant Township is therefore naturally very great. He has at all times given his attention to agriculture and is a most successful and enterprising farmer, having cultivated his lands after the most improved methods and making a real science of farming. His educational advantages were the best that time afforded, but he received none of the polish of the higher branches of study that one finds at the present time in the schools throughout the country. The schoolhouse he attended was merely a little log cabin and the furniture within was truly primitive in character, consisting of split-slab seats, and other things quite in keeping with these. A ruder construction could scarcely be imagined, and situated as it was in the midst of an uncultivated country it presented a picture that lingers long in memory. Our subject has always been fond of reading and has taken much pleasure in keeping posted on literary matters of the day. He is a most elegant and cultured gentleman and one whose many excellent traits are fully appreciated by the community in which he resides.
Mr. Weese married Miss Maggie Athy, a native of Mason County, Ill., and to this union have been born six children, four of whom are now living--Dickson, Hattie, Effie and Mary. Our subject owns one hundred and fifty-four acres of valuable land, all of which is well cultivated. He is a member of the Democratic party and a strong supporter of his party principles. He is a man well and favorably known and one whom we are pleased to represent in our ALBUM.