THOMAS H. BOUNDS, a highly respected farmer of Gridley Township, of which he became a resident in 1857, is the owner of 160 acres of good land, and in a comfortable homestead, enjoys the reward of earlier toil and industry. His parents were Henry and Hannah (Rhoads) Bounds, the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of Pennsylvania. After their marriage the parents settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, whence they afterward removed to Licking County, same State, where the mother died in 1842. Henry Bounds afterward removed to Michigan, in 1875, and died in 1880.

Our subject was the fifth of a family of seven children. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, Aug. 6, 1834, was reared to farming pursuits, and remained in his native State until he was twenty-three years old. He then came to this State and county, settling in Gridley Township, where he has since resided. Here he was married, on the 27th of May, 1860, to Miss Mary Messer, who was born in Gridley Township, Oct. 8, 1841. She was a daughter of J. B. and Susan (Estey) Messer, who are mentioned in the sketch of J. P. Messer, whose biography will be found in another part of this work, J. P. Messer being a brother of Mrs. Bounds. Our subject and his wife became the parents of five children, of whom the record is as follows: Maria E., the eldest, died when three years old: Henry E. married Miss Mary Brant, and lives in Gridley Township; Thomas died when quite young; William A. and Margaret E. are at home.

Mr. Bounds has held the office of School Director and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife are connected with the Christian Church, and politically our subject is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party.



Portrait and biographical album of McLean County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), 703. Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards.

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