FARRANT, THOMAS MARTIN (deceased), a well-known citizen of Springfield, Ill., was a native of Sangamon County, born May 10, 1855. He was a son of Henry and Bridget (Murner) Farrant, the former born in England and the latter in County Cork, Ireland. Henry Farrant was a dry-goods merchant and batter, and came to the United States when a young man. He located in Sangamon County, Ill., where he carried on farming many years. His death occurred in Springfield, November 29, 1883, and both he and his wife are buried in Cavalry Cemetery, Springfield.

The boyhood of Thomas M. Farrant was spent on his father's farm in Sangamon County and he was educated in the Springfield schools. After leaving school he carried on farming until three years after his marriage, and for some time conducted a farm near Fancy Prairie. He afterwards worked in the rolling mills and at the time of hi death had been for some time a foreman in a coal mine. He lived in Springfield some years and there his death occurred, April 3, 1898, and his remains were buried at Fancy Creek. Mr. Farrant was a kind friend and neighbor, devoted to his home and family, and his memory is honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a devout Catholic and a member of the church, at Sixth and Eastman Avenue, Springfield. He was all his life an ardent Democrat, although never active in public affairs. He was a men of honesty and industry, of good habits and principles, and a useful, upright citizen.

Mr. Farrant was married, at Springfield, September 21, 1875 to Miss Martha Thompkins, born in Logan County, Ill., January 10, 1855, daughter of James J. and Susanna (Keen) Thompkins, both natives of Ohio. Children as follows were born of this union: Thomas, a mine operator, unmarried; Margaret married George Davis, of Springfield, and they have one child, Lilly; Nellie married John Angwin, of Iowa, and they have one child, John Jr.; Charles, unmarried, living at home; William is married, lives at 138 Cook Street, Springfield, and has one son, Willie; Mattie, Emma and Marcia at home; Ernest, attending school in Springfield. The family reside at 1334 East North Grand Avenue.