OBITUARY as printed in the OGLE COUNTY REPORTER:

Thomas Paddock was born August 14, 1814, and expired at his residence in China Township, Lee County, November 15, 1902, aged 88 years.
Mr. Paddock came from the state of Indiana to Ogle County in the spring of 1837 and located at Washington Grove in this county. The county at that time was wilderness and the land had not come into the market. Mr. Paddock was twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Nancy Payne on December 25, 1835. Her death occurred about 24 years ago. On June 3, 1884, he was united in marriage to Almira King, who survives him. To Mr. Paddock by his first wife were born nine children, seven girls and two boys. Three daughters and two sons preceded their father in death. One son, Jefferson, died in the Union army during the Civil War. The daughters who survive are, Mesdames Joseph Cummings, George Brown, and D. M. Billmire of Ashton, and F. E. Self of Dixon. He is also survived by twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Paddock was the first supervisor elected in Lafayette Township, Ogle County. He was elected in 1850 and again in 1876. He did much to protect poor settlers in their rights and preserve the peace in those troublesome times when the banditti of the prairie held sway in the Rock River Valley. He was a pillar in the church at Washington Grove and was highly honored for his Christian character and deeds of benevolence. His generosity was instrumental in founding several institutions and publishing houses of that church.
In the early days of Ogle County he followed farming as a vocation and later conducted a most successful grain and lumber business in Ashton. Later he retired and after that time he was employed in looking after his property interests.
The interment took place at the beautiful cemetery at Washington Grove. Many old settlers were in attendance. Services were conducted by Rev. Fremont McCayne, pastor of the Christian church at Washington Grove. He was assisted in the service by Elder F. B. Rolph.

OBITUARY AS PRINTED IN THE ASHTON GAZETTE on November 24, 1902.

DEATH OF THOMAS PADDOCK

Again has the death angel visited our township and took from among us one of our most esteemed citizens. One of our pioneers is called to lay down the burden of life and don the robes of immortality, there reaping the fruits of a long and well-spent life. His widow and his children as well as his friends can realize that his work was approved by the Omnipotent Father for He left him to accomplish all his plans and only called him after nearly a century of usefulness.
Thomas Paddock was born in the state of Ohio on August 14th, 1814 and died at his home northwest of Ashton on Saturday, November 15, 1902. On Christmas Day, 1835, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Payne and in 1938 they moved to Ashton Township, Ill., where they builded themselves a home and reared a family of ten children. Two died in infancy and eight grew to man and womanhood. Mrs. Eliza J. Cummins, Mrs. Rebecca Brown, Mrs. Rosella Billmire and Mrs. Lorella Self still survive him. Jefferson died serving his country during the Civil War and William and Mrs. Diancy Gage were laid to rest several years ago. On April 28, 1879 the wife and mother was called to that better land and on June 3, 1884, Mr. Paddock remarried to Miss Almira King who still survives him.
He became a member of the Christian Church in early manhood and all his life was an exemplar of it's teachings and a liberal supporter of the church from a financial standpoint. The funeral services were held from the Christian Church in Washington Grove on Monday morning, Rev. McKeig, the pastor, and Elder Rolph, a life long friend of the deceased officiating. The church was crowded with the friends who gathered to see the last remains of a good man and neighbor returned to the dust from whence it came and drop a tear of regret that they should greet him in the flesh no more.

Submitted by Sharon Nordman Ogle

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