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TOMLIN, JACOB F. - The keen, shrewd farmer of Sangamon County long ago realized that the best results could be obtained through scientific farming and the raising of good stock, and so the best agriculturists of today are following these lines with remarkable success. One of the most aggressive of the excellent farmers of this county is Jacob F. Tomlin, of Section 36, Cartwright Township. He was born on Section 30, this township, January 26, 1867, being a son of the late Edwin Tomlin, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The excellent mother is living, making her home on the homestead, and enjoys fairly good health.
Jacob F. Tomlin was reared on the farm, attending district school during the winter until he was prepared to enter Illinois College at Jacksonville. Coming home, he settled down to farming in 1893, buying 120 acres of land on Section 36, Cartwright Township, but he now owns 272 in the township, all in one body, and seventy acres in Menard County. He remained with his parents until his marriage, on April 11, 1894, to Fannie Megredy, born near Pawnee June 8, 1865, a daughter of James J. and Ann R. (Hall) Megredy, he a native of Maryland and she of Virginia. Mr. Megredy came to Illinois with his parents, and she with her mother, both families settling near Chatham, where the young people were married. They settled down on a farm near Pawnee, and there Mr. Megredy taught and farmed, becoming a man of considerable prominence. He was sent to the State Assembly on the Democratic ticket and a number of excellent bills were introduced by him. The farm near Pawnee remained his home until his death September 23, 1885. Following this sad event his widow lived on the homestead until her daughter married Mr. Tomlin, when Mrs. Megredy came to live with them, dying in their home August 19, 1906. Both she and her husband were for many years leading lights of the Methodist Church, and in early days she was very active in church and Sunday school work. There were thirteen children in the Megredy family, six of whom lived to maturity, but only three survive: Anna of Springfield; Millard F. on the grandfather's homestead, and Mrs. Tomlin. Those deceased are: Charles, William P., Samuel E., John and six died in infancy.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin located on their property, which they have developed into a very valuable farm, with a substantial residence and good barns. This farm is on the old State road, one mile west of Pleasant Plains. There three children were born, as follows: Harry, born February 17, 1895, at school; Howard Edwin, born May 29, 1896, died February 10, 1898; Helen Louise, born February 7, 1903, in Denver col.; Lawrence Megredy, born January 18, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin are consistent and valued members of the Methodist Church, of which he is both Trustee and Steward.
Ever since he began farming Mr. Tomlin has made a specialty of raising good stock, handling Duroc-Jersey hogs to the number of 400 annually, and from 100 to 200 head of cattle. So convinced is he of the money to be made in raising stock that in addition to his Sangamon County property and that in Menard County, he owns 320 acres in Texas, not far from Houston, which he is developing into a stock farm. In addition to his large agricultural interests, Mr. Tomlin is a stockholder and Director of the Pleasant Plains State Bank, and his name helps give the institution the solidity that is appreciated by its depositors.
For years Mr. Tomlin has voted the Prohibition ticket, his scruples and principles making him an ardent supporter of temperance. He is a Mason, a Modern Woodman of America, belonging to Pleasant Plains lodges of both fraternities, and enjoys his associations with each. Steadfast of purpose, Mr. Tomlin took a farm, the land of which was regarded as poor, and by proper cultivation brought it into such a high state of development that he now produces 10,000 bushels of corn annually, in addition to his large stock produce. Owing to his remarkable success, he is recognized as an authority on agricultural matters, and also stands high in the estimation of his fellow men as a reliable business man and good citizen.