Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1906 — SKETCH OF THOMAS E. WILLEY. [ARTICLE]

SKETCH OF THOMAS E. WILLEY.

Thomas E. Willey was born ia Porter Gonnty, Ind,, Jan. 30, 1849, ■died at Mt. Ayr, Ind., Ang*et 18, 1905, aged -57 years, 6 months and 19days, His father died whence was quite young, and after that he made his home with his oldest brother, Joseph H. Willey, until he reached manhood and was able to care for himself. With him he moved here about 1866, and here obtained much of his education, including a course of law study, and following which he was admitted as an attorney to the Jasper county bar, but never engaged in the practice of the profession. He taught school for some time and then en i gaged in the drug store business, in partnership with Mr. Harding. He Was married in 1871 to Martha J. Parkison, daughter of Addison Parkison, and not long after his marriage sold his drug

store and took charge of Mr. Partison’s farms in Barkley tp. About 1875 he moved with his family to Arkansas. His wife died about eightyears ago, and was buried here.' Eight children were born to them, of whom three died young, and two others, a son and a daugh ter, after they had reached adult age. The three survivors are Roy, Thomas and Ortel, all living at home at Mt. Ayr. He moved back to Indiana about six years ago, settling in Mt. Ayr, where he had a sister living, and engaging in the lumber business. He was married a second time, August 20th, 1902, to Miss Anna M. Betz, a lady who had been brought up by and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Willey all her life. His funeral was held on the fourth anniversary of his second marriage. He was one of a family of ten children, of whom five, two broth ers and a sister survive him. Namely, Joseph H. of Plymouth. Ind., Charles 8., and Mary Willey, who lives with him, of Kansas, Mrs. Ae of Riu«3te3r, and Mrs. George Sigler, of Mt Ayr. At the funeral held in the Church of God Monday afternoon, besides the Mt Ayr relatives and friends in large numbers, the following relatives from away were present: Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Willey, of Ply mouth, Mrs. D. 8. Willey, of Monon, C. V. Willey, of Carroll Co., and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Perkins of Goodland. He united with the Church of God here in 1868, under the ministrations of Elder D. T. Halstead, and remained a faithful and devoted member till his deat.