THOMAS E. SEXTON. - Thomas E. Sexton, a retired farmer residing at No. 920 North Fifth street, in Springfield, came to the city in 1860. He was born in Mercer county, New Jersey, August 12, 1835, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Sexton, who were also natives of New Jersey. The father engaged in farming in Mercer county and also in Burlington county, New Jersey, and both he and his wife died in the latter county. Their son Thomas acquired his education in the public schools of his native state. There were three brothers of the family that came to the west. One, however, returned to New Jersey, and the second is a resident of Nebraska.

Thomas E. Sexton, the third brother, lived in New Jersey until 1859, when he came to Illinois and purchased a tract of land near Pawnee, residing upon that farm for a year. In 1860 he removed to Springfield, where he established a photographic gallery over the old Ridgeley Bank, conducting it for two years. He afterward purchased a livery stable near the old Haymarket on North Seventh street, and conducted it for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned east and settled in Wilmington, Delaware, where he conducted a photographic gallery for seven years. On the expiration of that period he once more came to the west and again located on his farm near Pawnee, Illinois, continuing its cultivation for several years. On selling it he purchased his present farm in Springfield township and continued to devote his energies to its care and cultivation for several years, but is now practically living retired in the city of Springfield, merely giving his supervision to his farm, which comprises one hundred and ninety acres of very rich and arable land in Springfield township just north of the city.

Mr. Sexton has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Musadora English, who died in Taylorville, Illinois, and for his second wife he chose Miss Susan A. Morrison, of Keene, New Hampshire. There were four children born of the first marriage, but the eldest died in infancy and Linn died at the age of nine years; Effie W. is the wife of Ira J. Bell, a prominent attorney of Springfield; and Musadora Blanche is a teacher in the Converse school of Springfield and resides with her father.

Mr. Sexton gives his political support to the Republican party, and was postmaster at Zenobia, Illinois, for a short time. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he is one of the leading and substantial citizens of the northern part of Springfield, owning a nice residence at No. 920 North Fifth street, where his family reside. His business affairs have always been capably conducted, his labors being directed by sound judgment and enterprise, and thus he has acquired farming property that returns to him an excellent income.