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Hon. Thomas M. Mooneyham, attorney at law, was born in Franklin County, October 17, 1844, the son of Maj. Daniel Mooneyham, whose sketch see elsewhere. Our subject, after his preliminary education, took a special literary course at the State University, at Bloomington, Ind., and also graduated in its law

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department in February 1866. In May he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Benton. In 1872 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and in 1876 was elected to the Lower House of the Illinois State Legislature, to represent the Forty-seventh District, which he did with honor in the Thirtieth General Assembly. He then resumed practice, and continued successfully at Benton until 1880, when he engaged with his father in running the Franklin Grist Mills. In 1886 he resumed practice, and in April was elected supervisor and chairman of the county court, in which position he now serves. He was president of the city council until his removal to his farm near Benton, in November, 1886.

January 6, 1866, he married Frances M. Threlkeld, a sister of the county superintendent. Two sons and five daughters are living, and three sons deceased.

He has always been a Democrat and as such elected to his various positions. He is Past Senior Warden, of Benton Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M., an Odd Fellow, has passed all the chairs in the Knights of Honor, and represented them at the Grand Lodge; is also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a prominent citizen and member of the legal profession in his county.