Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1884-07-24

The subject of this sketch was born ScptCm
Der I, 1919, on a farm near GAINESVILLE, Ohio
His father, John Hendricks, was born il
Western Pennsylvania, being member of ,
family of one Of the first settlers in LigCniei
Valley, Wcstmorcland county, where he TOOK
AN active interest in public affairs, serving
his ncighbors in town and county offices as
well as, with honOrto them and himself in the
state legislature. The mother Of Thomas A
Hendricks, was OF Scotch descent, her maidcI
name being Jane Thomson. She was grand
daughter of one John Thomson, a Scotchmar
who cmigrated TO Pennsylvania anterior to the
Revolutionary war, and gained considerable
celebrity by an address to the Scotch people, in
which he set forth what he believed to be the
advantages of America, as TO soil, climate and
institutions. His character led many Scotch Ia
emigratc to the Cumberland Valley, where
they formed a considerable settlemant between
Carlisle aud Chambcrsburg. John Thomson
was every inch man, having abundant intclli
gence, thrifty habits, direct in his speech
earnest In conviction, and imbucd with that
patriotism that made us free nation
Through his family, which was large and his
influence upon others, he made himself felt In
his day and generation. When the tOcSin OF
war sounded to arms, several of his sons
marched with Washington, to free this land
from the British yoke Such men arc
almost always pcrpetuatcd by descendants
who become noted and he has been no cxccp.
tion to this general rule; his Calvlnstic faith,
even, has followed his vigorous stock.
The wife of John Hendricks and her niece
were the only members of the Thomson fami-
ly who emigratcd West, the other branches of
the family being found principally in and
about Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. When
Thomas A. Hendricks, was six months old,
his parents removed from near GAINESVILLE,
Ohio, TO Madison, Ind, on the Ohio river.
William Hendricks an uncle of Thomas A
was living at Madison, being then Member
of Congress and enjoying the full esteem and
confidence of the people of Southern Indiana.
A few years later he was elected Governor, and
at the end of his gubernatorial term became
United States Senator. Through his good
sense and high character, Indiana was
brought into good reputc, and began TO
take the rank to which her position entitled
her
The father Of our sketch was appointed
Deputy Surveyor of Public Lands under Gen.
Jackson's administration, and became widely
known and respected. In 1S22 he removed To
the interior OF the State, and held the first
title to quantity Of land, upon portion of
which Shclbyvillc is now built. Upon gentle
hill in the heart Of beautiful forest he built a
brick homestead which yet stands in good
preservation, in full sight of the little city Of
Shelbyville. This home soon became noted
for its hospitality for the social worth and
learning OF It's occupants, and was the attrac-
tlon which drew TO Il the leading citizens Of the
young State. In those days all the people Of
worth and distinction in that portion Of the
country, were at one time or another enter
tained within Its walls; and II is fair to pre-
sumo that then and there the young lad, who
was destined In after years to llll SO considera-
bic portion of his States and the Nations
history, learned lessons useful in after life.
AT this iiresde the orthodox minister loved
TO come; he was sure Of an earnest welcome,
for he found In John Hendricks and wife, peo.
pie earnest in their convictions and jealous for
the right. To quotei ''The presiding genius
OF that home was the gentle wife and mother,
who tempered the atmosphere Of learning and
zeal with the sweet influences of charity and
love-" Essentially clever and persistent she
was possessed OF a rare quality Of patience,
which stood her in better stead than a turbu-