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TOMLIN, EDWIN (deceased). - The late Edwin Tomlin was one of the best examples of the older generation of Sangamon County farmers the locality ever produced. Steadfast and upright, he won and retained friends throughout a long and useful life, and upon dying left not only wealth, but a good name and unblemished honor to those who came after him. Mr. Tomlin was born in Cape May County, N.J., July 29, 1826, being a son of Almarine Tomlin, who was born in the same county in 1800. His paternal grandparents, William Tomlin and wife, were of New Jersey, and the family is of English extraction, having been founded in this country by two brothers, Andrew and William Tomlin. They both settled in New Jersey. Almarine Tomlin, father of Edwin, married Rhoda Smith, daughter of Abijah Smith, and for some years farmed in his native locality, and there seven of his children were born. Realizing then that there was necessity for removal to some place that promised better opportunities, in 1837 he came west, traveling by team, for there were no railroads across the country in those days. Arriving in Sangamon County, he bought land, which he broke and improved, making it his home until he was called to his last rest in 1859. His widow survived him for some years, dying at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. They were parents of three sons and nine daughters, Edwin being the eldest son.

Edwin Tomlin was eleven years old when the family arrived in Sangamon County, and from first assisted in developing the land that fell to his share later in life. His education advantages were limited, for the schools were few, but he made the most of his opportunities. When he left home he settled on 320 acres in Cartwright Township, operating it for some years, but eventually sold that property and bought the homestead, on which he rounded out a long and busy life. He enlarged his stock business until he shipped from six to twelve carloads annually, raising cattle, sheep and hogs. He had great faith in Sangamon County land, and certainly demonstrated his ability to make its cultivation pay.

In 1854 Mr. Tomlin married Miss Margaret Correll, born in Sangamon County, a daughter of Thomas Correll, who settled there in 1830, being one of the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin had children as follows: Almerine, Cashier of a bank at Tallula, Ill., Charles, a farmer of Linn County, Mo.; Lee, a farmer of Sullivan County, Mo.; Jacob F., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Isaac, who is operating the homestead; Frank B., a dentist of Mason City, Ill.; Eva, wife of William St. Clair, of Cass County, Ill.; Mrs. Witty, a widow, is now making her home with her mother on the old homestead; and Anna, wife of Frank Drury of Morgan County, Ill.

Mr. Tomlin always identified himself with the Democratic party, being a stanch supporter of its principles and candidates. His first presidential vote was cast for James K. Polk. Although interested in party matters, he never aspired to political honors. Much of his outside influence and work were directed towards the advancement of the Methodist Church, of which he was a consistent member. No one who knew him ever found him lacking in the essentials which go to make up the truly good man and loyal citizen, and his memory is tenderly cherished by a wide circle of warm, personal friends.