Thomas M. Somerville

    Thomas M. Somerville, a native of Indiana, was born in Ripley County, March 30, 1841. His parents, Thomas W. and Sarah (McCreery) Somerville, natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland respectively, were married in Versailles, Ripley County, and shortly afterward settled in Pennsylavaniaburg, where the father farmed, and has since resided. He is sixty-seven years of age. His wife is sixty-four years old. Thomas M. is the eldest son and second child in a family of five. He was reared and educated in his native county. When twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. J. C. McQuistine. After his return from the war, he entered the employ of the I. C. & L. R. R. Company as brakeman for three months, and was then promoted to conductor. He remained in this capacity until 1872, when he was put in charge of the yards of the same company at Indianapolis. After two years in this, he again took charge of a train as conductor. On February 14, 1881, he was appointed General Manager of the F. F. & M. R. R., which position he has since filled.

    He was married in Versailles, Ripley County, to Maggie Mathes, daughter of Andrew Mathes, a citizen of Dearborn County. By this union there are three children -Flora E., Melville D., Elmer W. Mr. Somerville is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lawrenceburg Lodge, No. 21; of the I. O. R. M., Red Cloud Tribe, No. 18 at Indianapolis. Is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Source: Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. Charles Blanchard, Editor. F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.