Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-27

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nal grant is occupied by lineal descend
ants. Thomas Gait received the early
educational advantages afforded by the
common schools of his native place and
in 1851 and so he attended college at
Academia, Juinata county, Pa. AS soon
as he had completed his academic course
he entered upon the study of medicine in
the office of e. II. Childs, ex.lieutenant
governor of Massachusetts. In 1855 he
graduated from the Berkshire Medical
College, Massachusetts, with the degree
of doctor. and with the distinction of re-
ceiviDg at the same time the 60 medal
awarded by the Massachusetts State Med
ical society to the student excelling in
passing his examination. Anxious 10
still further perfec. himself the young
student spent the year 1866 IN attending
lectures at the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, New York, the clinics
and Blackwells Island, N. Y. Then he
came west in search of location to en-
ter upon the practice OF his profession.
Temporarily he practiced his adopted pro-
fession at Princeton. Iowa, but he had
an ambition to go further west and
the spring of 1861 found him in the gold
fields of Colorado. He established a
quartz mill on North Clear creek, Just
above Black Hawk Point and operated
the same successfully for two seasons In
the spring of 1862 he disposed of his in,
terests in Colorado and removed to Rock
Island. This city has since been his
home, he having been actively engaged
in the practice of his profession which
has been quite extensive.
In 1872 he became associated with
Capt. James Blaisdell in the establish
ment of an industry for the manufacture
of baby carriages. children's carts, express
wagons. sleds and toys of that variety.
This little industry was sfterward struck
by lightning and destroyed by fire, and
Island Children's Carriage factory,
which flourished for number of years
as one of Rock Islands foremost indus
tries.
DR.. Gait was mayor of the city in 1874
and rs, and made a wise and conserva>
tive executive. He was naturally man
of retired disposition, yet his friends
found him always spproachable. and for
all he had kindly word. He was a
man of that great personal pride, such as
is born of a manhood and character built
wholly by self. He was neat in his tastes
10 a noticeable degree. He enjoyed q
fine equipage and always drove spirited
horse or span of horses. while his buggy
was model. He was one of Rock ISL
and's most highly esteemed citizens, and
his death will be generally mourned.
DR.. Gait leaves with his widow, whose
maiden name was Martha Z. Patterson,
and whom he married at Sterling, June 9,
1858, two sons, NJ. Lee, deputy stamp
collector, and John, bookkeeper in
Mitchell & Lynde's bank, his aged
mother. Mrs. Maria Gait, and the follow
ing brothers and sisters all of Sterling:
Mrs. D. D. Crawford. Mrs. John Buyers,
Misses Elizabeth and Josephine Gait and
Messrs. John B. and Robert A. Gait
He was member of the Interstate
Medical society, OF which he had been
president. and Of the Iowa and Illinois
Central District Medical society.
The funeral will be held at p. m. to-
morrow from the late home of the de-
ceased, Rev. ]. q. Kerr of the Contra
Presbyterian church, officiating. The
pail bearers will probably be: Drs. Pat
rick Gregg, Calvin Truesdale. 8. @. Plum
mer, G. G. Carter, G.. e. Barth. G.. g.
Craig, g. L. Eyster and Carl Bernhard.