Thomas M. Lyman gave many consecutive years to the management of an Illinois farm, and through hard work and intelligent management obtained the financial competence which enabled him a few years ago to retire from business and enjoy the comforts of a good ‘home in the city of ‘Champaign.
Mr. Lyman was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, February 6, 1866. His parents, Bernard and Mary (McLennan) Lyman, were both natives of Ireland. His father came to America as a young man about 1854, lived for a time near Eaton, Ohio, and subsequently removed to Vermilion County, Illinois. He farmed a few years near Ridge Farm and made his farm in Champaign County the scene of his productive labors for many years. He died in Champaign County in 1904 and his wife passed away in 1902. Their children were: Lucinda, wife of John Martin, living in Adams County, Nebraska; John, a retired farmer in Champaign; Mary Jane, who died in childhood; Bridget, who married John W. Early, both now deceased; Thomas M.; William, deceased; Catherine,’ deceased wife of James B. Hagan; and Mary, wife of William McMahon, of Champaign.
Thomas M. Lyman was born in Vermilion County but was reared and educated in Champaign County. The country schools supplied his early instruction. He lived in the wholesome atmosphere of a farm and that was the vocation he took up when ‘he started to make his own way in the world. Mr. Lyman was a progressive farmer until April, 1914, when he retired and removing to Champaign bought a fine home in that city.
He was married January 29, 1895, to Miss Ellen J. Curtin. Mrs. Lyman was born in the city of Chicago, daughter of Michael and Ellen (Clancy) Curtin. Both parents were natives of Ireland. Her father came to America before the Civil War, first locating in Massachusetts and afterwards going to Chicago, where he was connected with the Allerton Packing Company for many years. He died in November, 1894, and Mrs. Lyman’s mother passed away in December, 1903. They were the parents of ten children: Jeremiah, Thomas, Patrick, William, all deceased, and the fifth child, a son died in infancy; Ellen, wife of Mr. Lyman; James, of Chicago; John, of Chicago; Mary, wife of William P. Ward, of Champaign County; and the tenth and youngest, a daughter, died in infancy.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman were born nine children: Mary A., now a student in the University of Illinois; Bernard A., a member of the freshman class of the State University; Helen J., deceased; Margaret, deceased; Julia Laurentine, deceased; Thomas M., deceased; Monica Lucile; Thomas Mark; and Frances L.
Politically Mr. Lyman has always been a democrat. For nine years he served as road commissioner and is now a member of the drainage commission and has served in that capacity for ten years. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Catholic Knights of America, and he and his family are devout members of Holy Cross Catholic Church.