Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-06-19
In Memory of T. c. Sovereign.

Thomas Clark Sovereign was borr
at Simcoe, Ontario, September %, 1872!
and was the second son of Richard S
and Elizabeth u. Sovereign. In the
family there were SIX children, three
sons and three daughters only two OF
whom survive him: George p. Sow.
ereign of St. Cloud MINI. and Joshua
Sovereign of Woodland, California.
In 1915 the family immigrated tc
the United States and settled on q
farm near Elgin, ILL.,, where on Oct
-, 1850, Mr.. Sovereign was married tt
Miss Ruby Mitchell and shortly after
wards removed to Cassville Wis, and
later to Weston, Mo-, where on Aug
Ii, 1857, his wife died leaving two
children, Emeline l.. and James Il,
Doth of whom are living. Immedi.
ately following the death of his wife
he returned to Elgin ILL.,, where he
placed his son in the Keeping of his
parents and his daughter in the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Stephens.
In the spring of 1859, in company
with Others he began the long arduous
journey overland from Illinois TIC
California and during the succeeding
five years his career was full of stirring
events characteristic of pioneer life.
His remarkable physical strength, in
domitablc will and matchless courage
soon gave him rank and distinction in
the many struggles of those times
against the savage Indian tribes of the
far West His bravery and power OF
endurance was the admiration of all
| his associates and soon commanded
the attention of government officers.
He was first employed DIS Il special
messenger and carried orders, dis
patches, and express over the most
dangerous desertand mountain regions
OF Californla, Arizona and New Mexico.
During the most exciting periods OF
the war of the Rebellion he was given
charge OF government stock and sup
ply trains and was otherwise employed
asascoutand guide in the transporting
the regular and voluntary soldiers
from San Pedro, Cal. to the Rio Grandc
river. Later he was assigned to a DO
sition in the United States mint as a
compliment for efficient service, he
being required to Withdraw from the
transport service owing to bronchial
affections contracted by inhaling the
alkali dust during his long JOURNEYS
over the deserts. But the climate OF
California did not conduce to his
speedy recovery and acting on the adj
vice of his physician he boarded n shin
sailed to New York returned
to ILLINOIS in the latter part of
the winter of 1864. He entirely re-
gained his health and in few weeks
purchased large collection of choice
horses and with his brother, George I.
several other relatives and friends
started on his second overland trip
across the plains to California. Butone
morning during the last days of June
OF thatyear the expedition was brought
to a sudden termination at Box Elder
Springs, Wyoming, near TT. Laramie
| where the company was surprised and
attacked by Sioux Indians. Their
horses were nearly all seized and Mi.
Sovereign was seriously wounded.
He was removed to TT. Laramie where
under the treatment of army surgeons
he recovered and returned as far as TT,
Kearney, Neb., and after aiding army
officers with information concerning
indian movements, he came to New
Oregon la. and on May 9, 1865 was
married to Mrs. Harriet Mitchell, wi
dow OF Riley Mitchell and has since
resided on the farm occupied
by her at the time of their marriage.
Mrs. Mitchell at the time of their
marriage was the mother of five chill
dren only three of whom are now liy-
ing; Mrs. Philbrick residing in Han
COCK County, Iowa, Myron o. and
William r. Mitchell who are local res
idents. 10 the union with Mrs.
Mitchell live children were born, Ruby