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| Thanks to Larry Melton for this photo |
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| Tomzen Gholson 1831 - 1899 Tomzen was born in Broughton, Illinois Dec 29, 1831. He lived and died in Broughton, his tomb recording his death date as Nov. 27 1899. His will dated 1894 was proved January 1900. He is buried in the Gholson Cemetery. His mother Mahala was the daughter of Tomzen Porter. He was probably named after his maternal grandfather. He was a successful business man in Broughton with a dry goods store. His father, Eli Gholson, had one of the first grist mills in that section of Illinois, living for a time near Walpole before settling in Broughton. His untimely and early death at 33 left his eldest son only ten years of age with the feeling of responsibility for his three younger brothers (Wesley, John & Felix heavy on his young shoulders. In 1850, March 16th just nineteen years old, he married, first, Mary Elizabeth Gaines, daughter of his stepfather. Four babies followed in rapid succession and his wife died at an unknown date - prior to 1877, for on January 16 of that year he married a second time - the widow, Mrs. Nancy Permelia Dawes, whose maiden name probably was Clary. To this union two other children were born in 1879 and 1882. ("Gholson & Allied Families" by Virginia Baker Mitchell) (Note: Mary Elizabeth Gaines father was Gibson W. Gaines) Children by Tomzen & 1st wife Mary Elizabeth Gaines were: 1. John Gaines (atty) b. 1851-2-21 d. 1913 - 2 - 4 m. Frances S. Baker (called "Fanny") 2. James Tomzen (MD.) b. 1853 - 9 - 29 married 1872 - 9 - 26 Celeste Louisa Dawes dau of Dr. Edward Dawes. 3. Mahala Jane 4. Martha Ann b. 1858-1927 married Daniel A. Reeves Children of Tomzen & 2nd wife Mrs. Nancy Permelia Clary Dawes: 1. Edward Gholson b. 1879-5-7 married Gertrude Knowles of Carbondale 2. Elizabeth ("Bessie") b. 1882 married _____? Cleveland |