JARRETT, THOMAS LEWIS, an attorney-at-law of Springfield, and a man well versed in his profession, has always been a recognized power in the community. He has been depended upon to conserve the most important interests of the people. During the time Mr. Jarrett has practiced his profession in Springfield, he has been identified with much important civil and criminal litigation and has acquitted himself in a manner to give him a high standing among the legal men of the community. Mr. Jarrett was born July 10, 1872, near Maxwell, Ill., son of Thomas and Flora (Lowry) Jarrett, who still live in Divernon Township, Sangamon County. Thomas Jarrett and his father, William W., were both prominently identified with the interests of the democratic party in Sangamon County. William W. Jarrett came to the county from Virginia in 1826 and was well known among the pioneers. The family has been well known and prominent in public affairs, therefore, for a long period.

Thomas L. Jarrett attended the district school in his neighborhood, and helped with the work on his father's farm. He applied himself industriously to his studies and secured a teacher's certificate, teaching a short time in the public school at Coddington, near Tallula, Menard County, and with such success that he was called to the position of principal of the schools at Chestnut, Ill., later becoming principal of the schools at Shipman, Ill. He then gratified his ambition by attending Lincoln University, from which institution he was graduated, then afterwards completed a course at the Northern State Normal. He had for many years had an earnest desire to study law and for this purpose entered the University of Illinois, and was graduated from the law department of the same with the degree LL. B. Locating in Springfield in 1906, he has rapidly risen in the esteem and confidence of all who had dealings with him, and in 1908, he became a candidate for the nomination for State's Attorney and was considered a strong candidate, but was defeated. He is a man of considerable learning, not only in the line of his profession, but on general subjects, and since he began practice in Springfield, has been a leader in all movements for the improvement and advancement of legal procedure, in both State and county. He is a man of high ideals in his chosen field and tries to live up to them as near as may be. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Deacon, and belongs to Springfield Lodge No. 4, A.F. & A.M.