Thomas Gemmell

Thomas Gemmell was born in Ayreshire, Scotland, in the year 1837. He is a son of Thomas, Sr., and Elizabeth Gemmell, natives of Scotland, the former of whom died in his native land. Our subject was raised in the village of Maypole, where he received the rudiments of his education. In 1851, at the age of fourteen years, he emigrated to America, coming with John A. Regan, present editor of the Elmwood Observer, who was his guardian. Landing in this country he secured employment with a William Leightner, of Knox county, with whom he resided two years, after which he learned the wagon making trade with Bassett & Booth, of Knoxville, staying nine months. Disliking the trade he returned to his previous employer. In 1861 he enlisted, in Mercer county, Ill., in Company A, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served during the war. Veteranized in fall of 1863 same company and regiment, and was in the engagements of Belmont, Ft. Henry, Ft. Donaldson, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Nashville, through the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman in his memorable campaign to the sea, and the grand review at Washington. Private soldier; upon his return home took up the avocation of farming. In 1867 he sent for his mother and three half-brothers, who were residing in Scotland, who came directly to him and took up farming. with our subject. Two reside in Penn township, viz.: Robert and Joseph Parker—the other deceased, viz.: John. His mother died in Peoria, April 18, 1886, aged seventy-three years. Our subject was married in 1871 to Miss Anna Shearer, having settled the year previous in this county, purchasing land in Valley township, residing there till 1872, when he purchased in Toulon township, residing there till 1873, the time of his settlement on present place which contains 160 acres. He has another tract of forty acres in the township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, Toulon, with which they have been connected some time. To them have been born seven children, viz.: Elizabeth, Maggie, Sarah, Anna, Tommy, Gracie and David. Politically he formerly voted the Republican ticket, and at present is independent in politics.