Macoupin County
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Biography - THOMAS CAIN

Thomas Cain, formerly deputy sheriff of Macoupin County, Illinois, is regarded as one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Carlinville, where he has made his home for some years past. He was born in Greene County, Illinois, August 19, 1861, and is a son of John and Ann (Winn) Cain.

John Cain was born in County Down, Ireland, and came to America in 1844, locating in New York City, where he remained a short time and then removed to another section of New York State, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick, having learned the art of brick making and brick laying in former years. Two years later he removed to St. Louis, Missouri; after a stay of two years in that city, he removed to Greene County, Illinois, locating on a farm which he had purchased just north of Greenfield. Not liking that section of the State, however, he sold his farm and removed to Macoupin County, where he purchased another farm in Western Mound township, and there lived and followed farming throughout the remaining years of his life. He died in 1895, the same year in which his wife's death also occurred. His wife, Ann Winn, was a native of County Galway, Ireland. They were blessed with six children, namely: Catherine and Edward (twins), now deceased; Thomas and Joseph (also twins); Agnes and Mary.

Thomas Cain received his preliminary educational training in the common schools of Macoupin County, and later attended the Greenfield High School. After completing his education there he returned to Macoupin County, and purchased a handsome farm, where he was actively engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1900, when he removed to Carlinville. In December, 1902, he was appointed deputy sheriff by Sheriff Dickerson, and proved himself to be well qualified to fill the position. He has studied law, but has never applied for admission to the bar.

In 1887 Mr. Cain was married to Catherine Flannigan. In political belief our subject is a stanch Democrat, and is prominently identified with that party in this section. As a public speaker, he has been in demand since reaching his majority, and is well spoken of as a campaign orator. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America.


Extracted 2018 May 04 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 15-16.


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