Thomas Avery(1827-1888)

AVERY, WILLEY, STUART

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 9/29/2008 at 11:06:01

The Jackson Sentinel
December 6, 1888

MONMOUTH.
Death of Thomas Avery – Died: At his home – the mill in Keystone, on the 23d inst., Mr. Thomas Avery, of bronchial asthma. The deceased was born in 1827, near Burwirk, on the River Tweed, England: immigrated to this country at the age of fourteen. By occupation a miller, which trade he learned in his father’s mill in his native country and which he has followed his entire life. He has been employed in various mills, viz: At Elgin, Ill., Dyersville, Iowa, Willey’s mill, Maquoketa, in the mill at Chicago, where he was at the time of the big fire in 1871. Directly from there to the Keystone Mills owned by Hon. L. W Stuart, of this county, where he has had charge for the last 17 years and up to the time of his death. During this time he took his meals with Mr. Stuart’s family and lodged in the mill where he had comfortable apartments fitted up for himself. The deceased was a bachelor and had no relatives in this country. He was a very eccentric old gentleman, but kind, charitable and a good citizen. He loved his pipe and died with it in his hand. His old arm chair is vacant and the old mill which has all these years never refused to grind at his will is now silent. He is sadly missed from the festal board as well as his accustomed place at the mill. The funeral was held at the M. E. church and he was buried in the Monmouth cemetery the following day.