Biography - THOMAS A. HORINE

Among the medical practitioners of Macoupin county the name of Dr. Thomas A. Horine is greatly honored and his patrons speak in highest terms of his skill. A man of large experience, he has fairly won his laurels, and each year adds to the circle of his friends and acquaintances. He is a native of this state, born at Waterloo, Monroe county, December 10, 1858, a son of Matthias T. and Martha (Nixon) Horine, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Ohio. The father grew to maturity in his native state and then came to Kaskaskia, Illinois. Shortly afterwards he removed to Harrisonville, Monroe county, where he engaged in the mercantile business. After the flood of 1844 he sold out and opened a store at Waterloo, where he continued until 1860 or 1861. Believing that he could rear his children under more favorable conditions in the country than in town, he purchased a farm near Waterloo, upon which he established his home. He was married, at Harrisonville, to Mrs. Mary Drury, who died after their removal to Waterloo. Subsequently Mr. Horine was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Nixon, who came to Waterloo with her parents when she was a child. Mr. Horine died on the home place in 1872, after reaching the age of sixty-nine years. His widow later took up her residence with a daughter at Chester, Illinois, and passed away in 1901, being also sixty-nine years of age. Politically Mr. Horine was an ardent supporter of the republican party and served in various local offices. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was also, for a number of years, an officer in that organization. He was a liberal contributor to worthy objects and was called the "deficiency man" of the church, as he usually provided the funds for any deficiency, which the congregation failed to meet.

Thomas A. Horine attended the public schools of Waterloo and, having decided to devote his life to the practice of medicine, studied for one year under an uncle, Dr. M. G. Nixon, of Columbia, Illinois. In 1875, being then less than eighteen years of age, he entered McKendree College of Lebanon, Illinois, and was a student of that institution for one year. In the fall of 1876 he matriculated in the St. Louis Medical College and, after pursuing the regular course, was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1879. Immediately after receiving his diploma, he began practice at Merrimac Point, Monroe county, Illinois, but the town was three times visited by floods and about 1884 he came to Piasa, Macoupin county, where he remained for seven years. Since 1891 he has engaged in practice at Brighton and years ago became recognized as one of the most competent physicians and surgeons in this section of the state. He has a large clientele and has no reason to regret having selected Brighton as his permanent home.

On the 12th of April, 1884, Dr. Horine was married, at Waterloo, to Miss Anna B. Faina, who was born at Memphis, Tennessee; they are the parents of three children: Jessie, who is deceased; Stella A., who married A. W. Amass, proprietor of The Brighton News; and Nellie A., who is living at home. Professionally Dr. Horine is connected with the Illinois State Medical Society and the Macoupin County Medical Society, and socially he is identified with Brighton Lodge, No. 366, I. O. O. F., and Brighton Camp, M. W. A. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for a number of years he has served in an official capacity in that organization. Earnest and progressive in whatever he undertakes, he is regarded as one of the most valued citizens of a region with which he has been identified for more than two decades. He is a constant student of the best authorities pertaining to his profession and his name is widely known throughout Macoupin and adjoining counties. He has established a reputation for ability, honor and integrity which is unquestioned and can claim a host of warm personal friends and admirers in the county of his adoption.

Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 310-311.