THOMAS I. McDANNOLD, an extensive farmer of Pea Ridge township, was born in Bath county, Kentucky, July 5, 1826. His father, John, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, in 1797, and his father, Reuben, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1750; and his father, Alexander, was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, coming to America in colonial times, and settled in Culpeper county, Virginia, where he spent the rest of his days. Reuben emigrated to Kentucky at an early day, secured a large tract of land, which he improved with slave labor, and resided there until 1834, then sold out and emigrated to Pike county, Missouri, settled near Clarksville, bought a farm and resided there until his death in 1854. John learned the trade of tanner and conducted the business in Owensville, Kentucky, and in connection with it engaged in the mercantile business. He resided there until his death in 1834. He was a Whig in politics, and served several years as Sheriff of the county. In 1834 the mother of our subject emigrated to Illinois, making the journey in a two horse wagon. She located at Springfield, where two brothers lived. Her father gave her some land, a part of which is now included in the land in Springfield and the rest at Buffalo Heart Grove. She married a second time, and lived near Springfield for a season, and then moved to Jacksonville and spent her last days there.Thomas was in his eighth year when they came to Illinois, and remembers many of the incidents of the journey. At that time Vandalia was the capital of the State, and Springfield was only a village of 2,000 inhabitants, There was no railroad in Illinois, and St. Louis and Beardstown were the nearest markets for supplies. He went to school at Springfield, and resided there until 1844, and then went to his grandfather's in Pike county, Missouri. He remained with his grandfather one year, and in 1845 came to Mount Sterling, and in the next year, in company with his brother-in-law, General Singleton, purchased a tract of land in Missouri township, which he occupied two years, and in 1848 purchased the place where he now resides. He is well known as a practical and successful farmer, and has purchased land at different times, and now owns some 400 acres. His improvements rank with the best in the county.
He was married in March, 1849, to Mary Elizabeth Means, born in Lewis county, Kentucky, January 1, 1828. Her father, Major John Means, was born in the same county, and his father, John Means, born in Pennsylvania, went from there to Kentucky with his family and was one of the pioneers of Lewis county. The removal was made with pack-horses. He secured a tract of land on which he engaged in farming, and on which he remained until his death. His wife's name was Elizabeth Elton, born near Philadelphia, and she died in Lewis county, at the age of ninety-six. The father of Mrs. McDannold learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed in Lewis county until 1835, and then with his wife and three children came to Illinois. He settled in that part of Schuyler county now included in Mount Sterling, and bought a tract of land one mile east of the city, and remained there until his death in 1863. The name of his wife was Martha Parker, born in Culpeper, Virginia, and died in Mount Sterling in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. McDannold have four living children: John J., Thomas R., George R. and Clara L. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McDannold was formerly a Whig, but has been a stanch Republican ever since the formation of the party. For seventeen years he has been director on the County Agricultural Board, and for six years has been its vice-president.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, pages 246-247.
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