Biography - Thomas Carlin
Thomas J. Carlin was born in Carrollton, Greene county, Illinois, December
13, 1827, and is the eldest child of William and Mary Carlin. William Carlin
was a brother of Gov. Carlin, of Illinois, and a native of Fredericksburg,
Mo., born May 31, 1804. Mrs. Carlin was born July 3, 1805, in Halifax
county, Va., and when thirteen years of age her parents moved to Kentucky.
Mr. Carlin removed, with his parents, when quite young, to the territory of
Illinois, and settled on Wood river, in Madison county. At that place they
resided several years. In the fall of 1820 William Carlin became a citizen
of Greene county, and bought a tract of land which is now within the
corporation of Carrollton. On the 6th of December, 1826, he was married to
Miss Mary Goode. Politically, his views coincided with those of the
democratic party, of which, in Greene county, he was a prominent member; and
such confidence did they repose in his ability and honor, that they elected
him to the office of county clerk, and retained him in that position for a
period of seventeen years, when he resigned and moved to his farm eight
miles west of Carrollton. Here he was engaged in farming about two years,
and while on his way to New Orleans with a flat-boat load of stock, the
democratic party, in his absence, put him in nomination for circuit clerk.
He was elected, and in December, 1849, removed, with his family, to
Carrollton, to assume the duties of his office. On the 20th of April, 1850,
he died, beloved and respected by a large circle of acquaintances; his widow
is still living.
Thomas J. Carlin, while a boy, attended the common schools of Greene county;
and on the death of his father, in 1850, Judge Woodson then presiding,
appointed him circuit clerk, to fill the vacancy in that office till the
next general election. On the expiration of the term he was appointed deputy
sheriff under William Halbirt, and acted in that capacity two years. In
April, 1851, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Kelly, daughter of Andrew
Kelly, of Carrollton, by whom he has three children. Their eldest daughter,
Laura, is the wife of Wm. L. Robards. After the expiration his term as
deputy sheriff, Mr. Carlin removed to the farm recently left by the death of
his father, and soon after purchased a portion of the estate. In November,
1864, he was elected to the office of circuit clerk, and, by re-election,
has held that office ever since, including his nomination and re-election in
1872. As a local politician, few gentlemen of Greene county exercise a
greater influence in the ranks of their party than the subject of this
sketch. By his affable manners he wins many political supporters; and the
nominee who can gain the support of Thos. J. Carlin, is virtually sure of an
election. Even those who differ from him in political opinions can but
accord to him consistency and ability. He is mirthful, genial, and sociable,
and possesses those qualities which render him a pleasant companion.
Religiously, Mr. Carlin and wife are Presbyterians, and warmly adhere to the
tenets of that church. Viewing his past life, he has been reasonably
successful, politically and otherwise.
Extracted 05 Jan 2017 & 06 Jun 2018 by Norma Hass from Atlas Map of Greene County Illinois, 1873, page 39.
