Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 472 - 473 

THOMAS J. MACREDIE. Among the old pioneers and representative agriculturists of Ninnescah Township, there is probably no more prominent figure than Mr. Macredie, who makes his home on section 26. He is a native of Scotland, born April 18, 1843, and the son of Samuel and Janet (Japp) Macredie, both of whom were natives of the same country. When he was about seven years of age his parents determined to emigrate to America, in the betterment of their fortunes, and accordingly took passage on a steamer at Glasgow, which took them to Liverpool. From the latter port the family came to the United States on a sailing-vessel, and after a weary voyage of four weeks across the wild Atlantic, landed in Boston.

      For some eight years the parents of our subject remained in Massachusetts, where Thomas received a portion of his educational training. At the expiration of that time the family removed to Illinois and located in Grundy County, where his parents remained for quite a number of years. During his residence there the subject of this narration finished his education, and at the age of sixteen years began to learn the tailor's trade, which avocation his father followed. He was employed in this business for about three years and a half, but subsequently was engaged in coal-mining until 1867, when he embarked in the mercantile business at Braid wood, Ill., and continued in that business until 1870. On the 4th of July of the latter year, in company with William Ross and Thomas Jamieson, he started from Will County, Ill., on an exploring trip into Kansas. Mr. Ross had one span of horses and a wagon, and the other outfit was owned by Messrs. Jamieson and Macredie in partnership. They had concluded that in Kansas they would find a home, but had not definitely decided on the exact locality where they would settle. On the 6th of August following they arrived in Wichita, and made up their minds that Sedgwick County offered better inducements to them than any place that they had seen, and concluded to pitch their tents within its limits. The following spring Mr. Macredie, accordingly, pre-empted a quarter-section of land on sections 26 and 27, eighty acres of which lay on each section. He was among the first pioneers in Ninnescah, and settled on his claim when it was in an entirely raw and primitive condition, a waste of prairie grass and weeds. As no house was built upon the land, our subject was compelled to camp out for a short time, until lie could erect what is locally called a dugout, which provided him with a better shelter. He had spent the previous winter in Osage County, Kan., but made his settlement on his present farm in February, 1871.

      The subject of this biography was united in marriage in Illinois, July 16, 1866, with Miss Annie Hynd, a native of Scotland, who, however, died in June, 1868. After his settlement in this county he kept bachelor's hall for about a year, and was married, Feb. 26, 1872, to Miss Janet Jamieson, a native of Scotland, born Sept. 3, 1852. She is a daughter of James and Janet. (Tudhope) Jamieson, both of whom were also natives of old Scotia. She had emigrated with her parents to America in the summer of 1869, and on their arrival in this country the family had gone direct to Will County, Ill., where they remained until coming to Sedgwick County in 1870. Her father died here May 6, 1876, but her mother still survives, and makes her home with her children in Kansas, being now in her seventy-fifth year, although a very hale and hearty old lady. To Mr. and Mrs. Macredie have been born a family of nine children, only three of whom are living, as follows: Samuel T., born Nov. 12, 1873; James J., whose birth occurred June 4, 1877; and Agnes R., who was born Dec. 1, 1881.

      The subject of this sketch is the owner of some 226 acres of fine arable land, which he has brought under a condition of high cultivation, and on which he has erected a good residence, and many other substantial improvements. He is practically a self-made man, having commenced life with no capital except strong arms, an iron constitution, and an energy of purpose that was bound to win. His large and handsome farm is a standing monument to his industry, perseverance and good management, coupled with economy, and a praiseworthy frugality. He is a Republican in politics, and has served for several terms as Trustee of his township, and as Clerk and Treasurer for several years. Being greatly interested in educational work, he has filled in a praiseworthy manner the office of Treasurer of School District No. 33 for a period of fifteen years. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Macredie is officiating as Deacon, and holds several other minor church offices.

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