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Thomas
Gapen
Biography |
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From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and
Brown Counties, Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing Company,
Chicago, Illinois; page 587-588; a reprinted by Stevens Publishing Co., Astoria,
Ill., 1971, is sold by the Schuyler County Historical Society, Rushville,
Illinois.
Thomas Gapen, a retired farmer of Rushville Township, Schuyler county,
is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He was born in
Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1833, a son of Zachariah T. Gapen,
also a native of the Keystone State. The paternal grandfather, John
Gapen, was descended from English ancestors; he was a farmer by occupation,
and owned land in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on which he lived the last
years of his life. His son, Zachariah T., was reared and married in
Pennsylvania; there he resided until 1841, when he removed to Illinois; the
journey was begun March 19; he floated down the Monongahela to Pittsburg,
and there took a boat, going via the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers
to a point in Schuyler county then known as Erie; by team he came to
Rushville township. His means were very small, and he was obliged to
rent the lands he cultivated; later he purchased the tract on which
he had expended so much labor, and lived there until his death in 1846.
His wife's maiden name was Margaret McGee; she was born in Pennsylvania and
died in Rushville township, Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1851; they reared
a family of eleven children. Thomas Gapen was a child of eight years
when his parents came to Illinois. He has since witnessed many changes
in the country, wrought by the march of progress. He remained under
the parental roof until bereft of both father and mother. He then purchased
to old homstead, and now has 320 acres, 130 acres being in an advanced state
of cultivation. He now rents land and lives a quiet life at Rushville.
Mr. Gapen was married, in 1872, to Isabelle Williamson, a daughter
of L. S. and Margaret Williamson; she was born in Peoria county, Illinois.
Three children have been born to them, two died in infancy; Maggie is the
name of the surviving child. Mr. Gapen is a man of high and honorable
principles, and has the respect of the entire community.
Death Certificate 1861 Militia Roll
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