Thomas Jasper (1812 - 1880)

Born 25 Dec 1812 in Pulaski County, Kentucky

Ancestors

Died 27 Dec 1880 at age 68 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Thomas was born in 1812. He passed away in 1880.

Few of the prominent business men of Quincy have had so uninterrupted a career of prosperity as the subject of this sketch. Hon. Thomas Jasper is a native of the State of Kentucky, and came to Quincy from that State in 1837, being then a young man, just starting in life. Like most of the now " solid men " of our city, Mr Jasper's capital on his arrival in Quincy consisted of a vigorous constitution, a brave heart and a determined spirit, and with these he began the conflict of life.

Shortly after locating here he was elected constable, and filled that position until 1840, when he was elected sheriff of Adams county. At the expiration of his term of office as sheriff, he invested what funds he had accumulated in a stock of groceries, and opened a store. For ten years he devoted himself to merchandising, and there retiring from mercantile business, bought an interest in the distillery on the Bay, known as " King's." On the death of Mr. King, Mr. Jasper succeeded to the ownership and management of the entire business, and as was invariably the case, with whatever he was connected, it yielded handsome profits.

In 1860, Mr. Jasper was elected Mayor of Quincy, and in 1868 was chosen as one of the representatives in the State Legislature from Adams County. We have above traced briefly some of the steps in his life in Quincy, but much more remains to be said that might be better said by an abler pen. Through his entire career as officer, merchant, manufacturer, mayor or legislator, he was ever active and faithful, and retained the confidence of the entire community. Now one of the wealthiest of our citizens, he is indebted alone to his own exertions for what he possesses, and none contribute with a more liberal hand to any enterprise that promises to improve the status of Quincy, socially or otherwise. An earnest advocate of railroads, his time and means have been liberally given to forward them, and for the past few months it is well known that he has worked with a zeal surpassed by none in behalf of the proposed new roads. One of the founders of the Quincy Savings Bank, now the First National, he is at present Vice President of that solid institution.

In personal appearance Mr. Jasper presents a fine type of the substantial business man. With an open inviting countenance, a massive forehead and a piercing eye, his face indicates the man — frank, generous and determined, a genial gentleman, an irreproachable citizen, a steadfast friend, such is the Hon. Thomas Jasper, than whom Quincy boasts no better man.^[3]

Obituary

The death of the Hon. Thomas Jasper, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Quincy, which had been anticipated for several days, occurred last night. He was a native of Kentucky, and come to this city from that state in 1837, a young man just starting in life. Shortly after his arrival he was elected constable, and filled that position till 1840, when he was chosen sheriff of the county. for ten years subsequent to the expiration of this term of office he was engaged in merchandising, in which he proved very successful. At the end of that time he commences the distilling business on the bay, in which he contented for some years. In 1860, he was elected mayor of Quincy, having previously served several terms as alderman, and in 1868 was chosen as one of the representatives in the legislature from this county. He was one of the founds of the Quincy saving bank, (Now the First National,) and for a long time was vice president and a director of the institution. He was also interest in the White Collar packet company, one of the stammers of the line being named in honor of him.

Mr. Jasper was a man of the strictest integrity and business and personal honesty. Throughout his entire career as public official, merchant and manufacturer, he was in the highest degree faithful and honorable, and no man in the city more justly deserved the confidence of the community, which he retained to his death. His character was illustrated by his connection with the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific railroad in which he was the largest original stockholder, and to the construction of which he devoted time and money freely, working for its success with a zeal which could have been inspired by no other motive than a sense of honor. A man of wealth, which he had accumulated in Quincy, he was liberal in bestowing it for the advancement of the interest of the city, even when it was apparent that his efforts amounted to a sacrifice. He was a genial, warm-hearted gentleman, a frank, generous and steadfast friends and an irreproachable citizen. He leaves four children - Mrs. Gaty, of St. Louis, George, Harry and John Jasper. All of these were with them in his last hours.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2:30 o'clock, at his residence, corner of Broadway and Sixth streets. Christmas, upon which day he died, was his 68th birthday.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/qpl/id/2282/
2. ↑ The Revised Ordinance of the City of Quincy
3. ↑ History of Quincy and Its Men of Mark, 1869
4. ↑ Published in The Quincy Whig, Thursday, December, 30, 1880

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144162138/thomas-jasper