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THOMAS CARSWELL - Among the various nations which have contributed of their people to swell the population of America, Scotland has not been behind others, and the emigrants from her shores take a high rank wherever genuine worth of character is considered. They are, almost without exception, frugal, industrious and thrifty in their habits, and, in all that goes to constitute the moral character, as uncompromising as the hills of their native land. The ruggedness of the rocks is adorned by heather and gorse in the land from which they came, and even so their sturdy traits of character are softened by family ties and domestic relations.
The gentleman whose cognomen introduces this sketch has been a resident of this county for thirty-one years and for some twenty years has lived in Cotton Hill Township. There he now owns a fine estate of four hundred acres, the whole comprising a valuable acreage whereon first-class improvements have been made. On another page will be noticed a view of this homestead. The dwelling on section 16, is of modern design and its external appearance is quite in keeping with the neatness and good taste which prevail within. Mr. Carswell has made farming and stock raising his life work and thoroughly understands both branches of his occupation.
The natal day of our subject was April 9, 1834, and in "auld Scotia" he remained until he was twenty-five years old. He then took passage for America and after landing in New York City, came direct to Springfield, Ill. He found employment by the month, continuing to work thus until 1863. In the meantime he married Mary Byers, a native of Ohio, the wedding being solemnized in Woodside Township. The happy union was blest by the birth of four sons, of whom two - John T. and Charles, are deceased; Andrew B. and Arthur S. surviving. The faithful wife and mother was removed by death, February 2, 1869, in Pawnee Township, whither the family had removed in 1864.
November 9, 1870, Mr. Carswell was united in marriage with Miss Jane E. Clark, the marriage taking place in Pawnee Township. This lady was born in Scotland, March 7, 1847. She has borne her husband three children - James H., Jessie W. and Luther A. The same year in which he was married to his present wife, Mr. Carswell came to Cotton Hill Township, where he has since been permanently located. He has filled the offices of Township Collector, Highway Commissioner, Township Treasurer and School Director. As Treasurer he held the public funds six years. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been Steward, Trustee and Class Leader. Both are highly regarded by their fellow-citizens, and nowhere will a better exemplification of the virtues of the Scotch character and the inbred hospitality of the race be found than in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carswell.