AN UNEXPECTED DEATH
Major Thomas J. LARISON Dead in
 Bed, Head Resting on His Hand
Submitted by: Marlyn Duff
Source: The Lincoln Daily Courier - Monday, September 28, 1896 
The news received in Lincoln Saturday morning that Major Thomas J. LARISON  was dead proved a shock to his many relatives and friends in this city and  county.  Only the day before his familiar vehicle and horse were seen on the streets and his friendly, sociable greeting exchanged with friends. During the early hours of the day he concluded to drive to Stanford, McLean county with Miss Carrie Armbruster, about twenty-seven miles north of here, where he had a sister, Mrs. T. P. Brooks, who was always glad to see him.

The deceased, Thomas J. Larison, was a son of Abel and Rachel (Caton)Larison, who were natives of Maryland, and was the second of ten children - James M.,Thomas J., Abel, Mary and Eliza, who grew to man and womanhood.  Five died early, they being Greenbury, Theophilus C., Catherine, Rachel, Melinda. Major Larison was born near Zanesville, O., October 4, 1817, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1830, settling near Waynesville.  For years he followed farming pursuits and met with success.  He was one of the pioneers of the county.  He frequently had to go sixty miles to mill over rough corduroy roads and Indian trails.

He came of sturdy stock and his occupation made him athletic, which, with his superb courage, made him a conspicuous figure in the history of Logan county.

He was married to Kate A. Hoblit in 1839.  The fruit of this marriage was seven children, Winfield S., mail agent on the Illinois Central; T. J., a farmer in the west; Frank M. of Pottowattomie County, Iowa; Emma, wife of David Duff, near Lincoln; Ida I. Randolph, deceased; Mary, wife of T. H. Stokes, and Annie Beach, now in New York City.

Before the war he retired from farming and settled in Lincoln.  In 1858 he was elected sheriff of Logan county, receiving 1232 votes to Richard T. Davis' 1225. He enlisted in the service of the United States early in the war in Co., B, Second Illinois cavalry, and retired a major.

His estate left consists of two residence properties on Logan street and the business houses on Chicago street occupied by Thomas Moran and L. Drobiach. The remains of Mr. Larison arrived in Lincoln at 2:30 p.m., Sunday and were met at the depot by a large delegation of Leo W. Myers post, G.A.R. under command of A. D. Cadwallader, and escorted to the family residence, corner of Pulaski and Logan streets.

Funeral Monday, Sept. 28, at 2 o'clock at the M. E. church.  Elder Weaver, pastor of the Christian church officiated, assisted by Elder T. Holton and Rev. Chas. B. Taylor.  Internment in Union cemetery.
 

This page is "Thomas J. Larison Obituary" on the Logan County, Illinois, ILGenWeb site. The address of this page is http://logan.illinoisgenweb.org/larisont.htm..