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Thomas J. Link, senior member of Link Bros., general merchants, Ewing, was born in 1845 in Wilson County, Tenn., the second of eight children (two deceased) of John and Martha (Johns) Link, both born about 1820 in Virginia, and married in

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Wilson County, Tenn., their home from childhood. Our subject attended school in his native county, and before of age served about nine months in the Confederate service. When of age he located at Ewing, Franklin Co., Ill., and for six years was teacher and farmer. Since then he was exclusively devoted to farming, until 1880, when he bought a half interest in the general merchandise stock of Neal & King, buying the latter's share.

In 1882 Neal sold his share to W. A. Dunbar, who a year later sold to our subject's brother, John B. Link Bros. has been the firm name since.

His wife, Ann, a daughter of Andrew J. Askew, of Wilson County, Tenn., was born in 1848.

Our subject is a hard worker, and one of the best business men in Ewing, where the firm stands high. He owns a good little farm near Ewing, several town lots, besides the one on which he lives; a stone building and lot, and the firm has stock in the Ewing Milling Company. Our subject is a Democrat, and first voted for Seymour. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.