This well-known citizen of Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon, who devotes himself to the improvement of our stock of horses, was born in Dade County, Missouri, March 4, 1849, and came with his parents across the plains to Oregon in 1853, locating with them near Eugene, where they engaged in stock-raising, and remaining until the death of the father at Bannack City, Idaho. He was buried on Buena Vista Bar, July 1, 1863.
Thomas received a common-school education, and worked on the farm. His father having been a fancier and producer of fine horses, our subject went in 1871 to Umatilla County with the intention of continuing in the same business, and has remained there ever since, developing one of the finest bands of horses and also one of the neatest herds of stock to be found in the state. There also live his brothers, C.J., E.L., W.F. and J.W. J.D. lives at Eugene, where he is successfully engaged in the mercantile business.
Thomas was married in 1871 to Miss Mary E. Larkin, and has three boys and three girls. His mother is now seventy-four years of age, and makes her home with her only daughter, Mrs. Greenwood of the Wallowa. She is a woman still in good health and of unclouded mind.