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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of the Great Lakes
Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II
Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899

          Page 38
          
                    THOMAS MONSON, one of the veteran fish
                 dealers on the lakes, and especially in Cleve-
                 land, was born in 1822, in the western part of
                 Ireland, where his father was a sergeant of po-
                 lice.
                    In 1846 he came to America and settled in
                 Ohio City (now a part of Cleveland), and here
                 for seven years he was employed by Branch &
                 Burgess, a grocery firm.  He then engaged in
                 business for himself until 1859, when he sold
                 out and went to Pikes Peak.  Returning, how-
                 ever, in 1860, he, on June 1, 1861, enlisted
                 in Company B, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
                 and served twenty-four months in the Civil
                 war; was in several noted battles, but fortun-
                 ately escaped unwounded.  Upon his return to
                 Cleveland he went into the fish business, buy-
                 ing out the established trade of Riley Edson.
                 In 1871 he formed a partnership with his son,
                 Thomas, Jr., the firm being known as Monson &
                 Son.  The latter was interested in the business
                 until his death, which occurred in Cleveland,
                 March 10, 1895.  He was born in that city, June
                 24, 1850, and in the public schools received
                 his education.  For a time he worked in the
                 Cleveland Herald office, but was compelled to
                 give up this line of work on account of his
                 health.  He was a Master Mason in Bigelow Lodge
                 No. 243, and enjoyed an enviable reputation for
                 honesty, which is also attached to the name of
                 the firm.  In 1885, John, a younger brother, 
                 was admitted to the firm, the style thereof 
                 becoming Monson & Sons.  At first they carried
                 on only a retail market; but the business grad-
                 ually increased in proportions until they pur-
                 chased the plant they now operate.  At present
                 they also conduct a warehouse and fishery at
                 Rocky River, known as Horn & Co.
                    Thomas Monson is an esteemed citizen of 
                 Cleveland and a respected merchant, and has
                 a large circle of friends.  He was married in
                 Montreal, Canada, in 1845, to Miss Jane McElroy.
                 His children all reside in Cleveland:  William
                 is foreman of the business of Monson & Sons;
                 George is a furniture dealer, a member of Mon-
                 son & Myer; Ella E. is married to John Hoffman;
                 Emma J. is unmarried and resides at the home of
                 her father; and John, the third son, is a mem-
                 ber of the firm.
                 
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