Thomas Newton Cornwell was born 30 August 1832 in Fauquier Co.,VA. His parents, Benjamin Elliott Cornwell & Nancy Grant were married 31 July 1831 in Frederick Co., VA. About 1838 the family moved to Pleasant Township, Madison Co., Ohio where Nancy died 25 April 1854.
Thomas left Ohio and went to DeWitt Co., IL where he farmed until about 1880. On 20 October 1858 he married Margaret James, daughter of William & Susan Belford James. Thomas and Margaret had 9 children in DeWitt Co., IL: Albert Benjamin, William Anthony, Henry Allen, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James Marion, Anna & Ida. William Anthony & Henry Allen died young and are buried next to their grandfather, Benjamin, near Kenney, DeWitt Co., IL.
Thomas, Margaret and their 7 remaining children moved to Palestine Township, Sumner Co., KS about 1880. Margaret died 4 February 1884 and is buried at Belle Plaine, Sumner Co., KS. Thomas Cornwell was killed in a tornado in Wellington, KS on 27 May 1892 and is buried beside Margaret.
Thomas N. Cornwell, in the settlement of this county, men having come from nearly all parts of the United States. The subject of this notice, one of the well-to-do farmers of Palestine Township and comfortably located on section 5, is a native of Old Virginia and was born in Fauquier County, August 31, 1832. About six years later his parents, Benjamin and Nancy (Grant) Cornwell, removed to Madison County, Ohio, locating on a farm in the heavy timber, or upon land which the father, by the exercise of great industry and perseverance transformed into a farm. He felled the heavy timber, grubbed out and burned the stumps, plowed, harrowed and sowed.
Amid these scenes young Cornwell was reared to man's estate. He assisted his father in the development of the farm, remaining under the home roof until 1854, being then a youth of twenty two years. In the meantime, in 1853, the mother had passed away. In 1856, Benjamin Cornwell immigrated to DeWitt County, ILL., and died the following year. Prior to this, in 1854, Thomas N. had gone to Illinois, of which State he remained a resident until 1880. He there met his fate in the person of Miss Margaret James, to whom he was married in 1858. This lady was born July 26, 1837, in Fayette County, Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Susan (Belford) James, who removed from Ohio to DeWitt County, ILL., during the early settlement of the Prairie State. They spent the remainder of their lives there. The grandfather, William James, emigrated from Maryland to Ohio at an early date and died there. On the maternal side Grandfather William Belford, removed from Virginia to Illinois, likewise in pioneer times, and there he died.
Mr. Cornwell prosecuted farming in Illinois until the fall of 1880, then disposing of his interests in that region, came to Kansas and invested his capital in his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. With the exception of an old box house, which had been erected by some pioneer who had become discouraged and abandoned it, there were no improvements upon the place. Mr. Corn well's first business was to provide a shelter for his family, and he then began at first principles in the construction of a farm. He has been greatly prospered in his labors, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, planting fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings and bringing about the other improvements naturally suggested to the enterprising individual, he and his family are now domicile in a fine, large frame dwelling, a view of which appears in connection with this sketch. Adjacent to the residence is a substantial barn and other good buildings, an orchard of about five acres, and there are also twenty acres of timber which has chiefly grown up since he came here.
The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell was completed by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Albert, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James, Anna and Ida. The two deceased died in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life February 4, 1884, at the homestead in Palestine Township; she was forty six years of age, and her death cast a gloom over the neighborhood. Mr. Cornwell formed a second matrimonial alliance March 17, 1886, the lady being Mrs. Ruth E. (Hatfield) Shay, who was born September 9, 1840, in La Porte County, Ind., her parents being Moses and Nancy (Christy) Hatfield, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They removed to Indiana at an early day, but after the late war removed to Missouri, where the mother died, aged about sixty six years. The father is still living in Harrison County, Mo., and has now reached the advanced age of eighty six years. Mrs. Cornwell was first married, January 7, 1858, to Isaiah Shay, the ceremony being performed in Tazewell County, ILL. Their five children were named, respectively: Kittie, Ira, Mary, Rachael and Iva. Kittie died near Belle Plaine in 1887. All are married and have families, with the exception of Ira who makes his home in Palestine Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell belong to the Christian Church, attending services in Belle Plaine, and in which our subject serves as a Deacon. In Illinois he was an Elder. He has always been interested in educational matters, believing in giving to the young all the advantages, fitting them to become useful and intelligent members of society. He has served as Treasurer most of the time since coming to Palestine Township. In DeWitt County, ILL., he represented Texas Township in the County Board of Supervisors a number of years. He also in Illinois identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a charter member of Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 108, and the Encampment at Belle Plaine. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Payton Cornwell, a native of Virginia, in which State his father located upon coming to America from England. On the maternal side his grandfather, Isaac Grant, was of Scotch ancestry and died in Virginia.
Thomas left Ohio and went to DeWitt Co., IL where he farmed until about 1880. On 20 October 1858 he married Margaret James, daughter of William & Susan Belford James. Thomas and Margaret had 9 children in DeWitt Co., IL: Albert Benjamin, William Anthony, Henry Allen, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James Marion, Anna & Ida. William Anthony & Henry Allen died young and are buried next to their grandfather, Benjamin, near Kenney, DeWitt Co., IL.
Thomas, Margaret and their 7 remaining children moved to Palestine Township, Sumner Co., KS about 1880. Margaret died 4 February 1884 and is buried at Belle Plaine, Sumner Co., KS. Thomas Cornwell was killed in a tornado in Wellington, KS on 27 May 1892 and is buried beside Margaret.
Thomas N. Cornwell, in the settlement of this county, men having come from nearly all parts of the United States. The subject of this notice, one of the well-to-do farmers of Palestine Township and comfortably located on section 5, is a native of Old Virginia and was born in Fauquier County, August 31, 1832. About six years later his parents, Benjamin and Nancy (Grant) Cornwell, removed to Madison County, Ohio, locating on a farm in the heavy timber, or upon land which the father, by the exercise of great industry and perseverance transformed into a farm. He felled the heavy timber, grubbed out and burned the stumps, plowed, harrowed and sowed.
Amid these scenes young Cornwell was reared to man's estate. He assisted his father in the development of the farm, remaining under the home roof until 1854, being then a youth of twenty two years. In the meantime, in 1853, the mother had passed away. In 1856, Benjamin Cornwell immigrated to DeWitt County, ILL., and died the following year. Prior to this, in 1854, Thomas N. had gone to Illinois, of which State he remained a resident until 1880. He there met his fate in the person of Miss Margaret James, to whom he was married in 1858. This lady was born July 26, 1837, in Fayette County, Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Susan (Belford) James, who removed from Ohio to DeWitt County, ILL., during the early settlement of the Prairie State. They spent the remainder of their lives there. The grandfather, William James, emigrated from Maryland to Ohio at an early date and died there. On the maternal side Grandfather William Belford, removed from Virginia to Illinois, likewise in pioneer times, and there he died.
Mr. Cornwell prosecuted farming in Illinois until the fall of 1880, then disposing of his interests in that region, came to Kansas and invested his capital in his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. With the exception of an old box house, which had been erected by some pioneer who had become discouraged and abandoned it, there were no improvements upon the place. Mr. Corn well's first business was to provide a shelter for his family, and he then began at first principles in the construction of a farm. He has been greatly prospered in his labors, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, planting fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings and bringing about the other improvements naturally suggested to the enterprising individual, he and his family are now domicile in a fine, large frame dwelling, a view of which appears in connection with this sketch. Adjacent to the residence is a substantial barn and other good buildings, an orchard of about five acres, and there are also twenty acres of timber which has chiefly grown up since he came here.
The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell was completed by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Albert, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James, Anna and Ida. The two deceased died in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life February 4, 1884, at the homestead in Palestine Township; she was forty six years of age, and her death cast a gloom over the neighborhood. Mr. Cornwell formed a second matrimonial alliance March 17, 1886, the lady being Mrs. Ruth E. (Hatfield) Shay, who was born September 9, 1840, in La Porte County, Ind., her parents being Moses and Nancy (Christy) Hatfield, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They removed to Indiana at an early day, but after the late war removed to Missouri, where the mother died, aged about sixty six years. The father is still living in Harrison County, Mo., and has now reached the advanced age of eighty six years. Mrs. Cornwell was first married, January 7, 1858, to Isaiah Shay, the ceremony being performed in Tazewell County, ILL. Their five children were named, respectively: Kittie, Ira, Mary, Rachael and Iva. Kittie died near Belle Plaine in 1887. All are married and have families, with the exception of Ira who makes his home in Palestine Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell belong to the Christian Church, attending services in Belle Plaine, and in which our subject serves as a Deacon. In Illinois he was an Elder. He has always been interested in educational matters, believing in giving to the young all the advantages, fitting them to become useful and intelligent members of society. He has served as Treasurer most of the time since coming to Palestine Township. In DeWitt County, ILL., he represented Texas Township in the County Board of Supervisors a number of years. He also in Illinois identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a charter member of Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 108, and the Encampment at Belle Plaine. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Payton Cornwell, a native of Virginia, in which State his father located upon coming to America from England. On the maternal side his grandfather, Isaac Grant, was of Scotch ancestry and died in Virginia.
Thomas Newton Cornwell was born 30 August 1832 in Fauquier Co.,VA. His parents, Benjamin Elliott Cornwell & Nancy Grant were married 31 July 1831 in Frederick Co., VA. About 1838 the family moved to Pleasant Township, Madison Co., Ohio where Nancy died 25 April 1854.
Thomas left Ohio and went to DeWitt Co., IL where he farmed until about 1880. On 20 October 1858 he married Margaret James, daughter of William & Susan Belford James. Thomas and Margaret had 9 children in DeWitt Co., IL: Albert Benjamin, William Anthony, Henry Allen, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James Marion, Anna & Ida. William Anthony & Henry Allen died young and are buried next to their grandfather, Benjamin, near Kenney, DeWitt Co., IL.
Thomas, Margaret and their 7 remaining children moved to Palestine Township, Sumner Co., KS about 1880. Margaret died 4 February 1884 and is buried at Belle Plaine, Sumner Co., KS. Thomas Cornwell was killed in a tornado in Wellington, KS on 27 May 1892 and is buried beside Margaret.
Thomas N. Cornwell, in the settlement of this county, men having come from nearly all parts of the United States. The subject of this notice, one of the well-to-do farmers of Palestine Township and comfortably located on section 5, is a native of Old Virginia and was born in Fauquier County, August 31, 1832. About six years later his parents, Benjamin and Nancy (Grant) Cornwell, removed to Madison County, Ohio, locating on a farm in the heavy timber, or upon land which the father, by the exercise of great industry and perseverance transformed into a farm. He felled the heavy timber, grubbed out and burned the stumps, plowed, harrowed and sowed.
Amid these scenes young Cornwell was reared to man's estate. He assisted his father in the development of the farm, remaining under the home roof until 1854, being then a youth of twenty two years. In the meantime, in 1853, the mother had passed away. In 1856, Benjamin Cornwell immigrated to DeWitt County, ILL., and died the following year. Prior to this, in 1854, Thomas N. had gone to Illinois, of which State he remained a resident until 1880. He there met his fate in the person of Miss Margaret James, to whom he was married in 1858. This lady was born July 26, 1837, in Fayette County, Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Susan (Belford) James, who removed from Ohio to DeWitt County, ILL., during the early settlement of the Prairie State. They spent the remainder of their lives there. The grandfather, William James, emigrated from Maryland to Ohio at an early date and died there. On the maternal side Grandfather William Belford, removed from Virginia to Illinois, likewise in pioneer times, and there he died.
Mr. Cornwell prosecuted farming in Illinois until the fall of 1880, then disposing of his interests in that region, came to Kansas and invested his capital in his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. With the exception of an old box house, which had been erected by some pioneer who had become discouraged and abandoned it, there were no improvements upon the place. Mr. Corn well's first business was to provide a shelter for his family, and he then began at first principles in the construction of a farm. He has been greatly prospered in his labors, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, planting fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings and bringing about the other improvements naturally suggested to the enterprising individual, he and his family are now domicile in a fine, large frame dwelling, a view of which appears in connection with this sketch. Adjacent to the residence is a substantial barn and other good buildings, an orchard of about five acres, and there are also twenty acres of timber which has chiefly grown up since he came here.
The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell was completed by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Albert, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James, Anna and Ida. The two deceased died in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life February 4, 1884, at the homestead in Palestine Township; she was forty six years of age, and her death cast a gloom over the neighborhood. Mr. Cornwell formed a second matrimonial alliance March 17, 1886, the lady being Mrs. Ruth E. (Hatfield) Shay, who was born September 9, 1840, in La Porte County, Ind., her parents being Moses and Nancy (Christy) Hatfield, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They removed to Indiana at an early day, but after the late war removed to Missouri, where the mother died, aged about sixty six years. The father is still living in Harrison County, Mo., and has now reached the advanced age of eighty six years. Mrs. Cornwell was first married, January 7, 1858, to Isaiah Shay, the ceremony being performed in Tazewell County, ILL. Their five children were named, respectively: Kittie, Ira, Mary, Rachael and Iva. Kittie died near Belle Plaine in 1887. All are married and have families, with the exception of Ira who makes his home in Palestine Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell belong to the Christian Church, attending services in Belle Plaine, and in which our subject serves as a Deacon. In Illinois he was an Elder. He has always been interested in educational matters, believing in giving to the young all the advantages, fitting them to become useful and intelligent members of society. He has served as Treasurer most of the time since coming to Palestine Township. In DeWitt County, ILL., he represented Texas Township in the County Board of Supervisors a number of years. He also in Illinois identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a charter member of Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 108, and the Encampment at Belle Plaine. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Payton Cornwell, a native of Virginia, in which State his father located upon coming to America from England. On the maternal side his grandfather, Isaac Grant, was of Scotch ancestry and died in Virginia.
Thomas left Ohio and went to DeWitt Co., IL where he farmed until about 1880. On 20 October 1858 he married Margaret James, daughter of William & Susan Belford James. Thomas and Margaret had 9 children in DeWitt Co., IL: Albert Benjamin, William Anthony, Henry Allen, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James Marion, Anna & Ida. William Anthony & Henry Allen died young and are buried next to their grandfather, Benjamin, near Kenney, DeWitt Co., IL.
Thomas, Margaret and their 7 remaining children moved to Palestine Township, Sumner Co., KS about 1880. Margaret died 4 February 1884 and is buried at Belle Plaine, Sumner Co., KS. Thomas Cornwell was killed in a tornado in Wellington, KS on 27 May 1892 and is buried beside Margaret.
Thomas N. Cornwell, in the settlement of this county, men having come from nearly all parts of the United States. The subject of this notice, one of the well-to-do farmers of Palestine Township and comfortably located on section 5, is a native of Old Virginia and was born in Fauquier County, August 31, 1832. About six years later his parents, Benjamin and Nancy (Grant) Cornwell, removed to Madison County, Ohio, locating on a farm in the heavy timber, or upon land which the father, by the exercise of great industry and perseverance transformed into a farm. He felled the heavy timber, grubbed out and burned the stumps, plowed, harrowed and sowed.
Amid these scenes young Cornwell was reared to man's estate. He assisted his father in the development of the farm, remaining under the home roof until 1854, being then a youth of twenty two years. In the meantime, in 1853, the mother had passed away. In 1856, Benjamin Cornwell immigrated to DeWitt County, ILL., and died the following year. Prior to this, in 1854, Thomas N. had gone to Illinois, of which State he remained a resident until 1880. He there met his fate in the person of Miss Margaret James, to whom he was married in 1858. This lady was born July 26, 1837, in Fayette County, Ohio, and was the daughter of William and Susan (Belford) James, who removed from Ohio to DeWitt County, ILL., during the early settlement of the Prairie State. They spent the remainder of their lives there. The grandfather, William James, emigrated from Maryland to Ohio at an early date and died there. On the maternal side Grandfather William Belford, removed from Virginia to Illinois, likewise in pioneer times, and there he died.
Mr. Cornwell prosecuted farming in Illinois until the fall of 1880, then disposing of his interests in that region, came to Kansas and invested his capital in his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. With the exception of an old box house, which had been erected by some pioneer who had become discouraged and abandoned it, there were no improvements upon the place. Mr. Corn well's first business was to provide a shelter for his family, and he then began at first principles in the construction of a farm. He has been greatly prospered in his labors, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, planting fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings and bringing about the other improvements naturally suggested to the enterprising individual, he and his family are now domicile in a fine, large frame dwelling, a view of which appears in connection with this sketch. Adjacent to the residence is a substantial barn and other good buildings, an orchard of about five acres, and there are also twenty acres of timber which has chiefly grown up since he came here.
The household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell was completed by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Albert, Stephen, Alvin, Elmer, James, Anna and Ida. The two deceased died in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life February 4, 1884, at the homestead in Palestine Township; she was forty six years of age, and her death cast a gloom over the neighborhood. Mr. Cornwell formed a second matrimonial alliance March 17, 1886, the lady being Mrs. Ruth E. (Hatfield) Shay, who was born September 9, 1840, in La Porte County, Ind., her parents being Moses and Nancy (Christy) Hatfield, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They removed to Indiana at an early day, but after the late war removed to Missouri, where the mother died, aged about sixty six years. The father is still living in Harrison County, Mo., and has now reached the advanced age of eighty six years. Mrs. Cornwell was first married, January 7, 1858, to Isaiah Shay, the ceremony being performed in Tazewell County, ILL. Their five children were named, respectively: Kittie, Ira, Mary, Rachael and Iva. Kittie died near Belle Plaine in 1887. All are married and have families, with the exception of Ira who makes his home in Palestine Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell belong to the Christian Church, attending services in Belle Plaine, and in which our subject serves as a Deacon. In Illinois he was an Elder. He has always been interested in educational matters, believing in giving to the young all the advantages, fitting them to become useful and intelligent members of society. He has served as Treasurer most of the time since coming to Palestine Township. In DeWitt County, ILL., he represented Texas Township in the County Board of Supervisors a number of years. He also in Illinois identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a charter member of Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 108, and the Encampment at Belle Plaine. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Payton Cornwell, a native of Virginia, in which State his father located upon coming to America from England. On the maternal side his grandfather, Isaac Grant, was of Scotch ancestry and died in Virginia.
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
Advertisement
