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Thomas Green, Sr.

Thomas Green, Sr., an early settler and much respected citizen of West Union, was born in Ireland, May 26, 1815, and his parents were also natives of the Emerald Isle. In that country he learned the blacksmith and carriage making trades and received a good English education. When a young man of twenty-five years he determined to try his fortune in the new world and in 1849 sailed to America. He located in Hamilton, Canada, now the Province of Quebec, where he engaged in the line of his trade and where he was married in 1845 to Miss Ann Stevens, who was born in Ireland in 1822, and came to America in 1842. She located in Canada, where she met and married Mr. Green. In addition to their own children they also adopted one child, Thomas L., the eldest, was born September 11, 1847, and is represented elsewhere in this volume; James S., married Victoria Dershan and is a member of the firm of Green Bros., dealers and importers of horses of West Union; Charles W., married Mary Fenton, and resides in West Union where he also does business as a member of the firm of Green Bros.; Alice is the wife of F. E. Crane of Ottawa, Kan.; John A., is living in Denver, Col.; Richard H. is single and resides at home; Ettie died in August in 1888; Catherine, the adopted daughter is the wife of Thomas Wright of West Union.

It was in 1848 that Mr. Green first made a location in the United States. For about a year he made his home in Buffalo, N. Y., and then removed to Genesee County, where he made his home until 1854, when he came to West Union, where he has since resided. Soon after his arrival, he engaged in blacksmithing and carriage making which business he carried on with good success until the 5th of February, 1863, when he enlisted for the late war as a member of Company F, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, serving until the latter part of 1865, when, the war having ended, he was mustered out. The Seventh Iowa Cavalry did duty against the Indians in Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado and Kansas. Portions of the regiment were engaged in the battles of White Stone Hill, Tahkahokutah, Bad Lands, Little Blue, Julesburg, Mud Springs, Rush Creek and others. The battle of Julesburg, Colo., was fought by a company of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry under Capt. O'Brien. The Indians in large numbers attacked a train. Capt. O'Brien marched his company to its assistance and the battle continued all day. The company lost thirteen killed and the Indians fifty-five. The regiment continued on the plains fighting Indians until the spring of 1866, when the boys were mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., on the 17th day of May.

On his return from the war, Mr. Green resumed his former business at West Union, which he carried on until 1880, when on account of advancing years he retired from active life. He resides with his wife and youngest son on his farm of sixty-two acres in the suburbs of West Union. In political sentiments Mr. Green is a Republican but has never sought official distinction. He has led an active and useful life and in all the years he has been identified with the business interests of West Union has been held in high esteem for his integrity and upright character.