Obituary

Thomas James Allen

Thomas James Allen, son of Hugh and Nancy Allen, was born in Drum Kildress, Cookstown, County of Tyrone, North Ireland October 9, 1860 and departed this life at Broughton, Illinois, Hamilton County, U.S.A. October 11, 1950 at the age of ninety years and two days.

Mr. Allen came to this country sixty-eight years ago, setting sail from his native land on his 22nd birthday. Upon landing in New York he sought employment and worked for a short while as a hod carrier to earn money for passage to Chicago and eventually to Rantoul, Illinois where he had relatives. Arriving at Rantoul he took employment with a Mr. Marshall on a farm. Eight months later he was employed by N. Linden on his farm. One year later he was employed by his uncle, Tommy Reynolds, for whom he worked two years. This was the last time in Mr. Allen's life that he ever sought employment.

On March 8, 1887 he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Linden. This marriage was performed at Rantoul, Illinois by Reverand Daniel Steele a great uncle of the groom and one of the few relatives he had in this country. No children were born to this union but their home was a haven for the young people of the community and especially for their nieces and nephews whom they adored. They took into their home and reared as they would have their own daughters, Pearl and Hattie Tate, now Mrs. George Edwards of Eldorado, Illinois and Mrs. Willie Gibson of McLeansboro, Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen came to Hamilton County fifty-nine years ago, being induced to leave Champaign county for Hamilton county because of its cheaper land where he might more readily realize his life long ambition to become a land holder. Too he realized the possibilities of the so called waste swamp land. Through his efforts, working with others, drainage of this land was effected turning this almost worthless land into valuable farm land. Their first home in Hamilton county was at Old Rectorville. Later they erected their beautiful home one mile east of Broughton where they lived until t he accumulation of years forced their retirement from the rigors of farm life.

Uncle Tom, as he was called by all who knew him, possessed a robust physique and an equally strong spirit. He was never seriously ill though no doubt he suffered the ills to which all flesh is heir. Through health and sickness, through prosperity and hard times he never complained. His philosophy of life seemed to be that we must endure what we cannot change and that nothing is ever so bad that it might not be worse.

He is survived by his wife and companion with whom he lived happily for more than sixty-three years and whose inspiration and encouragement no doubt accounted in a large measure for his success in life. Also a host of relatives and friends.

Uncle Tom is gone. He stretched his alloted three score and ten into four score and ten years. His work is done yet his memory lives on. And in that memory is the commendation of having lived a useful and exemplory life.

CARD OF THANKS

I wish to take this means of extending my sincere thanks to my friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness during the illness and death of my husband, T. James Allen.--Mrs. T. James Allen