Bio: Avery, Thomas W. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Avery, Truax, Champion, McLean, Grigsby

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) page 640

Thomas W. Avery, one of the early settlers of Eau Claire county, is a native of Allegany county. New York, where he was born May 19, 1840. When 17 years of age, in 1857, he came to Eau Claire with an elder brother, and shortly after his arrival here commenced farming operations with his brother-in-law, Peter Truax, who had preceded him to this county some two years. After about 25 years of successful general farming Mr. Avery moved into the city of Eau Claire and engaged in the selling of farm implements, a business he conducted for seven years, when he sold out and opened a music store, in which he handled all kinds of musical instruments. For fifteen years he continued in this profitable business, then disposing of his stock, he retired. Mr. Avery is one of Eau Claire's progressive and public spirited men, and any public enterprise which is for the betterment of the community generally receives his hearty support.

His father, Benjamin Avery, was also a resident of Eau Claire county, having come here from the state of New York in 1858. Mr. Avery has four sisters living: Mrs. Peter Truax, Mrs. J. B. Champion and Mrs. Sara A. McLean, and Mary Avery, who makes her home with Mrs. Peter Truax. On July 17, 1873, Mr. Avery married Susan E. Grigsby, a most estimable lady of Eau Claire.