BIOGRAPHY - THOMAS CUE
THOMAS CUE is a well-known farmer of Brenton Township, residing on
section 15, where he has a well-improved farm that has been his home for
seventeen years. It comprises one hundred and sixty-five acres of arable
land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and
yields to him a golden tribute in return for his care and labor. He has
erected good barns and other outbuildings and has made many improvements,
all of which indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He is a
successful farmer and also deals in stock. He raises cattle and hogs, which
he sells directly to the Chicago markets, and makes a specialty of heavy
draft horses.
The life record of Mr. Cue is as follows: He was born in Bishopstorne,
Wiltshire, England, in August, 1837, and is one of eight children, whose
parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Cue. His father followed farming and died
in 1866, at the age of seventy years. His wife departed this life in 1867,
at the age of sixty-eight years. Both were members of the Episcopal Church.
Of their family, William and Mary both died in England; Jane died in
Woodford County, Ill., in 1892, at the age of sixty years; Joseph is a
resident farmer of Crawford County, Iowa; Thomas is the next younger;
Elizabeth died in England in 1882; Edwin resides on the old homestead in
England; and Richard died in Iowa about fourteen years ago.
Thomas Cue, of this sketch, attended the common schools of his native land
until fourteen years of age and then devoted his time and attention to work
upon his father's farm for four years. At the age of eighteen, he bade
good-bye to friends and native land and went to London, whence he sailed to
the United States, reaching New York after a voyage of five weeks. This was
in 1855. He came to Illinois, locating in Woodford County, where he began
work as a farm hand and was thus employed for some time. He came to Ford
County in 1870, and five years later purchased the farm upon which he has
since resided.
In Woodford County, on the 30th of March, 1870, Mr. Cue led to the marriage
altar Miss Victoria Arrowsmith, who was born in New York, and is a daughter
of Thomas and Anna Arrowsmith, natives of England, who came to the United
States in 1830. They emigrated Westward to Illinois in 1847, and both spent
their last days in Onarga, where they died about five years ago.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cue have been born four children: Thomas R., who was born
in this county, April 2, 1872, now aids his father in the operation of the
home farm; Elizabeth Ann died about 1879 at the age of five years; Mary
Jane, who is sixteen years of age; and Nora Ellen, a maiden of fourteen
summers, still reside with their parents. Mrs. Cue is a member of the
Methodist Church.
Mr. Cue cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison. He is an
intelligent man, well informed concerning the questions of the day, and, in
his business career, has met with good success, of which he is well
deserving.
Extracted 14 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Record of Ford County, Illinois, published in 1892, pages 199-200.
