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CARSWELL, THOMAS - In seeking the reason of personal success one invariably finds that the men who rise to positions above their fellows are those who have everlastingly kept at what they started out to accomplish and, through sheer perseverance, have finally reached their goal. These are the kind of men that have brought Sangamon County to its present state of prosperity, and one whose name may be mentioned in this connection is Thomas Carswell, now living retired after a long period spent in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Carswell is a native of Scotland, born November 15, 1830, son of Thomas and Jane (Hunter) Carswell, who spent their lives in farming in that country.
Thomas Carswell spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and received his education in the schools of his native country. In 1857 he came to America and engaged in farming in Sangamon County, Ill., whence in 1866 he removed to Christian County, but in 1889 returned to Springfield, where he has since made his home. Mr. Carswell's occupation has always been that of a farmer and until recently he was the owner of considerable farming property near Springfield. A Republican in politics, Mr. Carswell served eight years as Justice of the Peace in South Fork Township, Christian County, Ill., and for four years has held a like position in Springfield. His religious connection is with the Methodist Church.
May 3, 1866, in Christian County, Ill., Thomas Carswell was united in marriage with Caroline D. Fox, who was born in Virginia, August 19, 1831. In 1842, when Mrs. Carswell's parents first located in Illinois, her father, who was a prominent physician, was the only doctor between Springfield and Taylorsville. Of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Carswell, five are living: Amanda, wife of John T. Sheppard, engaged in real estate and insurance business; Charles H., engaged in the grocery business at Pawnee, Ill.; Alice C., wife of Jacob Lemon, living on a farm south of Pawnee; J. B., connected with the Johnson Hatcher Company, married Anne E. Byers; and Albert B., of the Johnson Hatcher Company, married Mamie Bolz. Mrs. Carswell's maternal grandfather, Thomas Leslie, was a colonel in the Revolutionary 'War and she is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.