Among those men of Marion county, who by the mere force of their
personality, have forged their way to the front ranks of that class of
citizens who may justly be termed progressive, is the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch, who has a fine farm in Tonti township, which he has taken
a great interest in and which he has improved in a most systematic way until
it is the equal of any in the vicinity where it is so admirably located.
Frank Loomis was born in this township, March 20, 1865, the son of S. E.
and Margaret (McMurray) Loomis, a highly respected family and for several
generations well known in Marion county. S. E. Loomis was a native of Ohio,
where he was born October 12, 1841, and came with his parents to Marion
county, Illinois, in 1846, and after a life of hard work in practically a
new country, he passed to his rest in 1885. Almon Loomis, the grandfather of
our subject, also came to this county from Ohio, settling on the farm where
Frank Loomis now lives. He was one of the pioneers in this part of the
county and reclaimed the farm in question from the wilderness. He is
remembered as a hard worker and a good man in every respect. He passed to
his rest in this township July 26, 1893.
S. E. Loomis was married in
Marion county, his wife having come to this country from Scotland, where she
was born. Four children were born to this marriage. Three sons are now
living, namely: Frank, our subject; Byron C., and Louis L. Frank Loomis was
reared upon his father's farm in Tonti township and worked during the summer
months on the farm, attending the district schools during the winter months
until he had a fairly good common school education. He remained at home
until he was twenty-one years old, and at the age of twenty-three was united
in marriage with Ida M. Martin, the affable and congenial daughter of Caleb
and Martha J. (McHeney) Martin. Her father was born in North Carolina, and
he moved to Tennessee, later coming to Marion county, Illinois. The mother
of Mrs. Loomis was born in Tonti township, this county. Ida M. was the sixth
child in order of birth in this family. She was educated in the district
schools, where she applied herself in such a manner as to become well
educated. Two children were born to the subject and wife, namely: Glen M.,
born September 12, 1890, and Omer F., who was born April 23, 1895. They are
both bright boys, and will, no doubt, make their mark in the world. Mr.
Loomis is the owner of a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty acres on
which he carries on general farming which yields him a comfortable living
from year to year and at the same time permits him to lay up a competency
for old age and to give his children every necessary advantage in launching
them successfully in the battle of life. His fields are well tilled, the
crops of heavy grain being rotated with clover so as to retain, the strength
of the soil. He has a comfortable and substantial residence which is well
furnished and nicely kept. Many and convenient out buildings also stand on
the place, and much good stock of various kinds is to be found in his fields
and barns.
In politics Mr. Loomis is a staunch Republican, but he
does not take a very active part in party affairs, being contented to spend
his time on his farm. Fraternally he is a member of the Ben Hur lodge, Odin,
No. 226. Mrs. Loomis is also a member of this organization. He is regarded
as one of the substantial and best citizens of Tonti township.
Extracted 10 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 295-297.