THOMAS A. HOLE
Page 569
THOMAS A. HOLE
Page 569
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THOMAS A. HOLE, a successful farmer of Mason County, and the owner of a valuable estate lying on section 32 of Havana Township, is a son of Stephen Hole, to whom further reference is made in the sketch of William H. Hole, elsewhere presented. He was born in Washington County, Ind., October 18, 1834, and was reared upon a farm, receiving a common school education in the home neighborhood. In 1856 he accompanied his father to Mason County, of which he has since been a resident. March 9, 1856, Mr. Hole was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Snyder, who was born in Washington County, Ind., on Christmas Day of 1834. She is the daughter of William and Matilda (Mitchell) Snyder, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. Her father, who was an nearly settler of Indiana, thence to Illinois, and settled at Canton in 1839. After following the trades of tanner and shoemaker at that place for a time, he removed thence to Pekin. In 1848 he went to California via the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and remained in the far west for more than twenty years, meantime traveling through California, Oregon, Washington, and also spending three years in Old Mexico, where he was taken prisoner by the Mexicans. Upon his return to Illinois he settled in Havana, where he remained until his death. Twice married, the second union of Mr. Snyder was childless. By the first marriage there were born six children, four of whom are now living, viz: Mrs. Hole, Mrs. Rosanna Coats, Joseph Snyder and Mrs. Louisa Page. Mrs. Hole received a good education in the schools of Illinois and is a refined, amiable lady and a sincere Christian, having been a member of the Baptist Church since 1854. Since her marriage she has lived upon section 32, the place of her present abode, and here she has reared her three children, Effie, Grant S. and William S., twins. The only daughter is the wife of Lawrence Sarff, of Mason County, and they have two children, Eva and Ray. Grant S. married Miss Lizzie Meyer, and they reside in Havana. William S. married Miss Lucy Dare, and they live upon the old homestead. As a farmer Mr. Hole has met with more than ordinary success and now owns two hundred acres of improved land, upon which he raises grain and stock. Socially, he is a member of the Encampment, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah Lodge. He is interested in educational matters and has been a member of the School Board for twenty years. To his children he gave excellent educational advantages, and the daughter taught two terms of school in this county. Politically, he is a Republican and has frequently served as a delegate to local conventions. In a township which usually gives a Democratic majority of one hundred and seventy, he has been elected Assessor upon the Republican ticket, and is now serving in that capacity. For nine years consecutively he officiated as Road Commissioner. |