Thomas "Tom" Grant (1865-1943)

Thomas Grant, of the mercantile firm of Grant Brothers, of Lowell, is one of the prominent representative citizens of his home community, in a business, political and social way. He is also prominent in the affairs of the south part of Lake County and is well known over the entire county. He was born in Lowell on the 13th day of September, 1865, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Grant, the elder Grant being born in Scotland, and coming to this country, located in Chicago, but in 1860 he came to Lowell where he identified himself with the building interests. He died in the South when his son Thomas was only nine years old, leaving a mother and a number of other children to be cared for. Being thrown upon his own resources, young Grant went to work on a farm and later worked on the Monon railroad as a section hand. By energy, honesty and economy he forged ahead, took a business course at Valparaiso University and became a contracting carpenter, which he followed until seven years ago, when he and his brother James opened their big mercantile establishment. He served four years as trustee of Cedar Creek township, during which time he brought about great improvements in the way of good roads and bridges. He is an ardent Republican and a splendid party worker. He was a candidate for the nomination of sheriff at the spring convention, but was defeated by Mr. Lawrence Cox. In 1893 Mr. Grant was united in marriage to Miss Grace Nichols, daughter of William C. and Mary Nichols. To this union one son was born, named Byrl. Mr. Grant is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges and takes an active interest in fraternal work.

The above photo and information came from the Souvenir Album of Lake County, 1906, found at the Lowell Public Library. Tom Grant, great-grandson of Thomas (pictured above) and Gracia Belle (nee Nichols) Grant has researched his family tree and has corrected (in red) the above paragraph as follows:

Thomas Grant, of the mercantile firm of Grant Brothers, of Lowell, is one of the prominent representative citizens of his home community, in a business, political and social way. He is also prominent in the affairs of the south part of Lake County and is well known over the entire county. He was born in Lowell on the 13th day of September, 1865, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Grant, the elder Grant being born in Scotland, and coming to this country, settling in Chicago, but in 1862 he came to Lowell where he identified himself with the building interests. He died in the South when his son Thomas was only nine months old, leaving his mother and six other children to be cared for. Being thrown upon his own resources, young Grant went to work on a farm and later worked on the Monon railroad as a section hand. By energy, honesty and economy he forged ahead, took a business course at Valparaiso University and became a contracting carpenter, which he followed until seven years ago, when he and his brother James opened their big mercantile establishment. He served four years as trustee of Cedar Creek township, during which time he brought about great improvements in the way of good roads and bridges. He is an ardent Republican and a splendid party worker. He was a candidate for the nomination of sheriff at the spring convention, but was defeated by Mr. Lawrence Cox. In 1894 Mr. Grant was united in marriage to Miss Gracia Belle Nichols, daughter of William C. and Mary Nichols. To this union one son was born, named Byrl. Mr. Grant is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges and takes an active interest in fraternal work.