----Source: 1891 History of Clark & Jackson Co., Wis., pg. 343

THOMAS FREE, of section 12, Weston Township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada East, March 4, 1846, the son of Richard (deceased) and Mary (Ross) Free, the former native of County Wicklow, Ireland, and the latter of England, but both came to this country when quite young. They were the parents of three children: Robert, who lost his life in the Union army during the late war Annie, wife of John Wright, of Humboldt, Dakota, and Thomas, our subject.

Thomas Free was reared to farm life, and his educational advantages were limited, as there was no school where he lived. He went to the State of Maine in 1865, where he worked on a farm part of two summers, then in the ship-yards of Bangor a short time, next in the pineries two years. In 1867 he came to this county, and in 1871 homesteaded 120 acres of land, which he still owns, and sixty acres of which is cleared.

Mr. Free was married December 10, 1878, to Eliza Schwamb, who was born in New York city, June 7. 1857, the daughter of Jacob Schwamb, who came to the United States when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Free have five children: Clara E., Nettie E., Archibald, Ernest and Lydia M. Mr. Free has been clerk of the School Board eight years, and is the present incumbent. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and politically a Republican.

1880 Federal Census--Weston, Clark, WI

Thomas Free @33, b. Canada, Farmer, Parents b. Canada

Wife: Eliza @23, b. NY, Keeps House, Father b. DArnstadt

Dau: Clara @2 mo., b. WI