Person:Thomas Pangborn (1)

JUDGE THOMAS M. PANGBORN, an honored citizen of Onarga, was numbered among the early settlers of the county, where he cane with the family in 1837, more than half a century age. A native of the Empire State, he was born in Essex County, June 1, 1806, and is a scn of John and Miranda (Miller) Pangborn, for former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York. In 1836 they removed from the Empire State to Ohio, where they lived for same years. The family numbered five children, of whom the Judge is the eldest. The other are Triphenia, Ransom B., Maria A., and Cyrus S. The two sons are still living. Judge Pangborn was reared to manhood in New York and Ohio, and on the 15th of March, 1832, was united in marriage with Miss Jane Harper, daughter of Samuel H. and Mary (McCoy) Harper of Pennsylvania. In the autumn of 1837, he emigrated with his family to Illinois, accompanied by his brother Ransom, and in 1845 the father, John Pangborn, and the other members of the family also emigrated Westward, locating near the brothers. Thomas Pangborn settled on a farm of two hundred and forty acres, about a mile from the village of Onarga, where he made his home for almost a quarter of a century. He afterward removed to a forty-acre tract of land, which he purchased in addition to his first farm, and there made his home for nearly thirty years. He was a successful agriculturist, practical and progressive, and won by his perseverance and wall-directed efforts a handsome competency, which enabled him to live a retired life. Unto Judge and Mrs. Pangborn were born six children; John, born December 29, 1832, died in early childhood. Triphenia, born November 4, 1834, became the wife of Capt. Elkanah Doolittle, of Onarga, one of the civil engineers in the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad. They had four children, two of whom are yet living, Milton and Thomas E. Mrs. Doolittle died on the 22d of July, 1868. Johnson T., born November 28, 1836, died in childhood. Emily, born December 21, 1838, is the wife of Henry Haven, a native of Portsmouth, N. H., now residing in Oakland, Cal. Unto them were born five children, three of whom are yet living: Henry W., Lucy J., and Mary M. Mary Ann, born April 19, 1841, is the wife of Charles Haven, a native of Portsmouth, N. H., also a resident of Oakland, Cal., and they had seven children, four of whom yet survive: Charles F., Clarence, Mabel, and Helen. Miranda, born November 19, 1843, is the wife of Capt. Elkanah Doolittle, and they make their home in Onarga. On the 1st of February, 1892, Judge Pangborn left his farm and came to Onarga, where, in his comfortable home, he resided with his faithful wife, with whom he had traveled life’s journey for more than sixty years. The Judge was in his eighty-seventh year, and his wife is eighty years of age, and on the 15th of March, 1892, they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. For almost half a century they have held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for more than forty years Mr. Pangborn was Class Leader, occupying the position until recently, when his advanced age forced him to abandon that work. The cause of temperance found in him a warm friend, and he was a stanch Prohibitionist. For many years Judge Pangborn held the office of Associate Judge of the county previous to the township organization, and was also Overseer of the Poor. He held the office of School Director for many years, and was prominently identified with public and benevolent work. He did much for the upbuilding of the county, aided greatly in its development and progress, and witnessed its entire grewth from an almost unbroken wilderness until now it stands in the front rank among the leading counties of the State. Judge Pangborn was a typical pioneer; large-hearted and hospitable to strangers as well as friends, his home became a general stopping-place. His first house was the pioneer log cabin, and it is said of him that he paid his first taxes with ‘coon skins. However that may be, one thing is certain — in those early days, ‘coon skins were more plentiful than money. His life was well and worthily spent, and in looking back over the past no regret need be felt for lost opportunities or duties unperformed. He was truly one of Nature’s noblemen, and the respect and confidence of the entire community were his. On the 23d of October, 1892, Judge Pangborn was called to his final rest, and his remains were interred in the Onarga Cemetery.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Iroquois Co., Ill.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Onarga Leader and Review
   28 Oct 1892.

   Judge Thomas M. Pangborn died at his home in Onarga, Illinois, after a long protracted illness, on the morning of Sunday, October 23d, 1892. The death of this patriarch and good and true man brings up by the law of associates the incidents and recollections of the early settlement of Iroquois County and especially that of this immediate vicinity.
   Judge Pangborn was born in Keene, Essex County, N.Y., on the 1st day of June, 1806, and came to Onarga first in May of 1836, more than 56 years ago. He had been united in marriage to Miss Jane Harper, March 15, 1832, several years, four, we believe, before emigrating to this country. In the spring of 1836, Thomas M. Pangborn, Oliver Miller, and Caleb Jewett came from Ohio, and were on their way to the Rock River Country to select farms. Staying all night at Col. James Frame, who had moved from Indiana the year before and settled near where Mr. Jerry Sweeney now lives. After looking at the country for a few days here they were so well pleased with it they concluded to settle here, T. M. Pangborn entering 220 acres, the present Doolittle farm. The first person buried in the Pangborn burying ground was Johnson T. Pangborn, son of Thomas M. Pangborn. This is the first burial near this place linked with this last. In 1853, Thomas M. Pangborn was elected associate Judge and held the office until 1857. He was the father of six children, two sons and four daughters. The sons died while quite young, the eldest daughter some years ago. Emily and Mary were married to H. and Chas. Havens. The youngest, Miranda, is the wife of Capt. E. Doolittle, and during the long sickness of her father has watched by his bedside with filial tenderness and solicitude. Cyrus Pangborn, residing at Burr Oak, Kansas, is a younger brother. These are all that is left of the family. Judge Pangborn was an old time gentleman. Always affable, courteous, agreeable, gentlemanly, kind, considerate of the feelings of others, he was loved by all who knew him.
   In 1839 he joined the Methodist Church and for more than 53 years he has been a faithful, consistent, working Christian. In the official positions he held in the church he was efficient and faithful. A true gentleman, devout Christian, a faithful officer in Church and State, a tried and true friend, a kind father, a loving husband, he won the respect, esteem, and love of all. He was sick for about seven months, and when the summons came it found him ready.
   His death, like his life, was peaceful and serene. The funeral service was held in the Methodist Church, Tuesday afternoon, a large number of sincere mourners were present, aside from the imediate relatives, thus testifying their estimate of his character. Rev. A. K. Tullis conducted the services assisted by Rev. J. H. Scott and Dr. Van Pelt. S. K. Marston, Prof. Ferguson, Miss Van Beuschoten, Mrs. Van Pelt led in the said sweet songs, so touchingly rendered. The pall bearers were Wm. Morris, Isaac Amerman, L. B. Mcintyre, Isaac Wilson, Belias Skeels, and Dr. Bone. He was buried in Onarga Cemetery, Onarga, Iroquois, IL.