Note: Quotes are from My Family Tree by Beulah Russell Nisbet, 1952.

Thomas was born 09 June 1873, probably in Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois.

In the 1880 US Census he is listed as the son, age 7, in the household of his father Thos Nesbitt in Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois. His mother, Mary, and two sisters, Jennie and Jobena, complete the family.

Around 1894, Thomas was "lured by the booming coal fields of Alabama" and went there to work. Jane Throop followed him, and they were married in Cardiff, Alabama, 17 October 1895. The family had a picture of the tent they shared with another couple. Here at Cardiff, Alabama, their first born, daughter Vera Mariee, was born (27 June 1896)

"Whether the work wasn’t so good, or it was sheer homesickness, isn't reported, but their life in Alabama was brief. They returned to Carterville, Illinois. There they had a fire that destroyed their rented house and practically all their possessions. Thomas has told of how he ran in and rescued his two most cherished heirlooms, his father’s watch (the train engineer’s watch) and his father’s picture."

By the 1900 census the family is living in Sato Village, Ora Township, Jackson County Ilinois, listed as Thomas Nesbiet. Thomas' occupation is miner, and they own a house free of mortgage. Their second child, Samuel Robert, was born here 26 October 1900. They moved into a different house, but still in Sato, where Harry Thomas was born 11 November 1903. The house was moved to the Main Street where it presently stands when Harry was around two years old. "Mariee tells of how it was her job to watch over Harry while the house was being raised, moved across fields and set down. As the town’s population moved out, Thomas bought land, also several buildings, and created the present farm layout. He kept mining coal, opening one after another small coal mines. He employed a "hired hand" to help with the farm work until the boys were old enough to take over. His first and last love was coal mining. He was never a farmer at heart."

Five more children were born in Sato: William Gould (18 April 1907), Mary Alice (19 July 1909), Arthur Lee (21 October 1911 only lived 9 days), and twins Kent Elmer and Keith Almer (26 December 1914).

He is listed as Tomas A Nisbet age 36 on 1910 US Census, a farmer working on own account and owning a mortgaged farm. Jane and the five children are ini the household; along with two hired men, Fred Edwards age 27 and William Car (Carr) age 75.

He is listed as Thomas A Nesbit age 46 on 1920 US Census, owning home free of mortgage and working on his own account as a miner and farmer. Son Samuel R, age 19, is a wage worker farming for father. Son Harry T, age 16, is a wage worker in father’s mine.

He is listed as T A Nisbet age 56 on 1930 US Census, occupation general farming on farm he owns. Jane and 15 year old Kent and Keith are at home attending school.

Thomas was stout in appearance, tolerant in temperament, and intelligent according to those who knew him, He was a "good Christian" raising his familiy in the church life, serving as Sunday School superintendent, deacon, and used to lead the singing.

"A very interesting incident to me was that of T.A. Nisbet breaking off the tobacco habit after almost a lifetime of use. He had started chewing tobacco at a very early age. During the depression of the 30s he decided to quit and put that money on the grocery bill. That showed two factors - a good provider for his family, and a very unselfish act. People remarked at what strength of character, to follow out such a decision and withstand the craving he experienced. He said himself that he’d catch himself feeling in his pocket for his "chaw." Wife Jane has said that he drank occasionally before he married but was a teetotaler afterwards. Perhaps environment contributed to starting him to using liquor for in Sato, a mining town, liquor flowed freely."

Thomas Alexander suffered from arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and was cared for in the State Hospital at Anna, Illinois the last years of his life. He died there 10 January 1956 and is buried at Ava Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois.

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