[p. 912] one of the best known residents of Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is of prominent old pioneer families of the county, both paternally and maternally. He was born in Plain Grove Township, March 26, 1824, and is a son of James and Anna (Locke) McCommon.
James McCommon, father of Thomas, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was thirteen years of age when his father moved with his family to Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County. There this hardy old pioneer entered a tract of 400 acres of land, on which he erected a log cabin, made a clearing and engaged in farming the remainder of his days. He was a Whig in politics. He reared a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, and numerous of his descendants are residents of the county at the present time. James McCommon attended the primitive schools of the county after the arrival of the family here and assisted his father in clearing the farm. He lived on the old home place throughout life, and in addition owned a tract of 100 acres in Pine Grove Township, which he had purchased. He was a well known and respected citizen, and a man of considerable prominence in his day. He married Anna Locke, who was born and reared in Lawrence County, and they were parents of seven children, all of whom were born on the old homestead.
Thomas McCommon was reared on the old home place and attended the old log school house of the district, which was equipped with slab benches and desks, with an old fashioned fire place in one end of the room. He was reared amid the privations and hardships of pioneer life, and early became inured to hard work. During his younger days he worked several years in New Castle, at a time when there were but two houses in that now thriving city. He inherited fifty-four acres of land, which he subsequently sold, then purchased his present farm of fifty-eight acres, the improvements on which are the results of his own toil. He prospered as a farmer and took rank among the progressive men of the township. He was for a period of fifteen years overseer of the poor, and served three years as constable, discharging the duties of both offices in a highly acceptable manner.
Mr. McCommon was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann McConnell, a daughter of John McConnell, who also was of one of the oldest families of the county. They became parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter, all of whom were born on the home place. Politically, Mr. McCommon is a Republican, and in his younger days was active in the affairs of the party.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 29 Jan 2002