Dr. Thomas Killion was born in North Carolina in the year 1800. His wife Amelia "Milly" (Curtis) Killion was also born in North Carolina in the year 1806. The date of Thomas and Amelia Killion's migration to Illinois is unknown, however their eldest son Obediah was born in Illinois April 29th, 1822. Henry, their second son, was born in Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the year 1826. Andrew, their third son, was born in the year 1830. Amos, a fourth son, was born at Apple River Fort in Jo Daviess County, Illinois on February 10th, 1831. Rueben, a fifth son, was born in or about the year 1832.

Dr. Killion and his family were counted and listed on the 1830 Lead Mine Census at Apple River Fort. The Sac and Fox Indians were preparing for engagement of war in the area in the summer of 1832. The settlers around the town of Elizabeth united to build the Apple River Fort for their safety and protection. On June 24th, 1832 Chief Black Hawk and his warriors were successfully held off from their raid by the settlers at Apple River Fort. Within the fort were approximately 45 men, women and children settlers when Chief Black Hawk and approximately 150 warriors attacked the fort. Casualties were light within the fort with two settlers wounded and one settler being killed. Casualties among the Indians were unknown.

An article as written in the BLACK HAWK TIMES' listed as "An Interesting talk with Mrs. William Lawhorn" referenced WHO WAS IN THE FORT. Among the list of names was a KILLIAN, who is my great great great grandfather Dr. Thomas Killion.

Dr. Killion and Amelia his wife had three other children, Francis a daughter the sixth child was born in 1834, Elizabeth, a daughter and the seventh child, was born in 1837. Oliver, their eight child was born on September 9th, 1842 in Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Sometime after 1842 Thomas Sr. and Amelia moved their family to Washington County, Illinois and were listed on the 1850 Washington County Census. The 1850 Washington County Census also showed that Thomas Sr. and Amelia had two more children, Thomas Jr. and Emily.

Three of Dr. Killion and Amelia Killion's sons Henry, Amos and Oliver were in the Civil War. Andrew, another son became a doctor. Thomas Jr. another son, became a barber and open his own Barber Shop in Springfield, Illinois. Thomas Jr. is believed to have cut Abraham Lincoln's hair as referenced in THE ILLINOIS STATE JOURNAL Obituary of Thomas Jr. in 1913.

It is believed that Dr. Thomas Killion was on a medical tour to Europe and the ship was lost at sea in the late 1850's.