Thomas John Jefferies was born in Pudymore, Somersetshire, England, November 9, 1841. He lived with his parents until he was eight years old, when he left home, while attending school, without their consent, and came to the United States, arriving at New York city in the spring of 1849. He paid the expenses of the voyage out of money given to him by his grandmother for ” pin money.” Being among strangers he found it hard work to• maintain himself, but making the acquaintance of a farmer from Herkimer county, New York, by the name of Reuben Reynolds, he was taken by him, and with whom he lived and made his home for many years. In June of 1851, he accompanied a Captain Boyer on an excursion to Europe with whom he visited France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland. Returning to the United States in the fall of 1852, he again made his home with Mr. Reynolds, with whom he lived and worked for until 1870. In 1862, he attended the Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. On leaving Mr. Reynolds-in 1870, he came to Missouri and. located at Kidder and engaged. in the agricultural implement business with A. W. Rice until 1872, when he quit that business and came to Winston and became station agent for the Chicigo, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company.
March 16, 1877, he married Miss Helen Orr, of Maysville, DeKalb county, Missouri. He is a member of Western Star Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Winston, Chapter No. 11, R. A. M., and Kadosh Commandery of Knights Templar, of Cameron. He has held several offices in Colfax township and is now justice of the peace.