Thomas S. Gentle: In all the broad expanse of the Prairie State there is no county which affords sustenance to a greater number of agriculturalists than this, whose productive soil, commercial facilities and advanced development make it pre-eminently a farmer’s home. One of its comfortable and attractive abodes is that of the subject of this notice, who occupies the parental homestead in Farmington Township, having an undivided interest therein. He also owns one-hundred and twenty-nine acres on sections 14 and 15, which is now rented, as he carries on the John Gentle estate. 

The Gentles were originally French, settlement being made in Maryland by members of the family in colonial times. In that State the late John Gentle was born, accompanying his parents to Ohio in 1810 when a child of about two years. He grew to manhood near the city of Cincinnati, marrying a native of the Buckeye State who bore the name of Louisa Higdon. Her father, Peter Higdon, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Gentle reared a family of nine children, having had eleven born to them. They came to Illinois with their family in 1855, and selecting a location in Fulton County, established a home from which the husband and father was removed in the spring of 1884. The widowed mother is still living and has now reached the age of seventy-seven years. She makes her home with her children.

The subject of this biographical notice (Thomas S. Gentle) was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, June 26, 1845, and was therefore about ten years old when he came to this state. He began his school attendance in Ohio and continued to study in the district schools of Farmington Township. At the age of twenty-one years, he entered Lombard University at Galesburg, pursuing his studies there for four terms. He had an experience in the work of an instructor, teaching two winter terms in Peoria and two in Fulton County. His knowledge is amply sufficient to enable him to secure a fine position as a teacher, but his taste does not lie in that direction, although he has met with good success while he was thus employed.

In 1876, Mr. Gentle was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Kessler, a well-educated lady of estimable qualities, who was born in Ohio, but educated in the Canton, Ill. High School. Her father, W. E. Kessler a native of Maryland, went to the Buckeye State when a young man, learned the trade of a carpenter and established himself there. He married Kate McClain who bore him eight children, of whom Mrs. Gentle is the eldest. The Kesslers came to this county and for several years Mr. Kessler was engaged in farming was well as carpenter work; he is now living in Canton. Mr. and Mrs. Gentle have become the parents of four children, the eldest of whom is now twelve years old. They are named, respectively, Anna May, Harry J., Ralph W., and George. 

Immediately after his marriage our subject settled on the homestead, remaining there until 1881, when he purchased ninety-five acres in Ford County and removed thither where he remained two years when he came back and settled on the homestead. In April 1889, he sold that property and purchased his present estate. He was appointed administrator of the John Gentle estate by Judge Boyd, and also of that of his brother, James B. Gentle. He has a decided political bent and works earnestly to promote the interests of Democracy. He has served as school director for several years and in 1889 was elected Township Supervisor. He belongs to Farmington Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M., in which he filled the chair of Master in 1875-76-77. The sterling qualities of Mr. Gentle are recognized by all who know him, and his genial manners prepossess strangers in his favor. He is deeply interested in the welfare of his children and future generations, and therefore ready to bear a part in all those movements which will enhance the material, educational, and moral prosperity of the nation. He has succeeded well in worldly affairs and is able to surround his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.