This Gentleman, late a resident of Buckeye Township, came to Stephenson County, Ill., during its early settlement and assisted in developing the agricultural resources of this section. He was born near Paris, France, in June, 1801, and grew to manhood near the outskirts of one of the most wonderful cities of the world. His parents were French by birth and people in the middle walks of life. Their son attended school during his childhood and youth, and later engaged in a saw and grist mill until starting for America. Upon reaching the shores of the New World he stopped first at Buffalo, N. Y., where he learned blacksmithing, and where he was married and resided until 1839. After a time he decided to change his location and occupation, and started with his wife and four children for Illinois. The journey was made via the lakes to Milwaukee, and there he hired two teams to take his family and effects to Freeport, in the southeastern part of this county. Six weeks later he went up into Waddams Township and made a claim on section 5, which he entered later from the Government. He put up a sawmill on his land and engaged in lumbering and farming, building up a good homestead and accumulating a competency, and there resided until his death, which took place April 15, 1881. He was noted for his industry and energy, and was particularly fortunate in his investments. He acquired a large property, and the beautiful farm with its elegant buildings now stands as a silent but forcible witness of his business capacity and his success in life.

The marriage of Thomas Jonas and Miss Saloma Wrench was celebrated at the home of the bride near Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. Jonas is the daughter of Rudolph and Elizabeth Wrench, of French birth and ancestry, and came with her parents to America in 1827. They settled in Buffalo, N. Y., and there spent the last years of their lives. The wife of our subject was but eleven years of age when she crossed the ocean, and she remained until her marriage under the home roof. She became the mother of ten children, and is still living on the homestead established by herself and husband during the younger years of their married life. Her eldest son, Frederick, is farming in Iowa; Margaret is married to Richard Ditmire; Elizabeth married Criss Colman; Magdelena, Mrs. Grost, lives on a farm in Oneco Township; Sophia, Mrs. Hoffman, is a resident of Waddams Township; Jacob lives on the old homestead; Mary, Mrs. French, is a resident of Freeport; Henry is farming in West Point Township; Addie, Mrs. Reynolds, lives in Oneco Township, and John is in Minnesota.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 245