THOMAS P. PIGG

Thomas P. Pigg, publisher of the Farmington News, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., in 1855, and is the son of Jesse H. and Sarah J. (Smith) Pigg. The father was born in Tennessee in 1823 and when a small boy came to St. Francois County, Mo., with his mother, his father having died while still a comparatively young man. Jesse H. Pigg was a farmer and hunter by occupation. He died February 18, 1869. His wife was born in Tennessee in 1833 and died in 1886. After the death of Mr. Pigg she married Barney Weakley, who is also deceased. Mrs. Weakley was the mother of five children by her first marriage and two by the second, all of whom are living. Thomas P. Pigg was the eldest child by the first marriage. He was thirteen years old when his father died, and was educated by his own exertions. His parents were in close circumstances and were unable to send the children to school. Thomas P. went to school two terms at Marble Hill Seminary after he was married, that event ocurring April 2, 1876. Miss Julia A. Starkey was the lady who became his wife. She was born in Bollinger County, Mo., January 12, 1859, and to her marriage was born one child, Edna B. Previous to his marriage, in the spring of 1875, he commenced selling books. He went to Bollinger County and worked until October, meeting with only fair success. He found no trouble in getting their names on the top line, but the pay was not forthcoming. In the fall of 1875, he began working on the railroad and continued at the same two years. The following two years, he pumped water in a tank for the same, also purchased type and a small press and began learning the art of printing from a tramp printer. In 1879 he went to Marble Hill and started the American Palidium, at which he worked for two years and a half. In 1881, he sold out and attended Mayfield Smith Academy at Marble Hill for two years, with the exception of about four months, during that time, when he taught school. In 1883 he returned to Farmington, and in July of that year he established the Farmington News, and soon ran his subscription to 800. He has enlarged his press three times, and now has the best press in Southeast Missouri. The paper has a good circulation, is newsy, is ably edited and is independent in its political views. Mr. Pigg is industrious, economical and scrupulously honest. He commenced working for himself without a penny, and is now in comfortable circumstances, has a good home and is established in a good business. He is a member of the A.O.U.W., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GOODSPEEDS HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, pages 664 & 665.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  From obit of T. P. Pigg:  T. P. Pigg, founder of the Farmington News and for 27 years prior to his death, publisher of the Arcadia Valley Enterprise at Ironton, passed away at his home in Ironton at 6:40 a.m., Monday, January 29, 1940, aged 84 years, 3 months and 1 day.  The end came suddenly and peacefully from a heart attack following a short illness of pneumonia.  He was quite ill on Friday and Saturday, but on Sunday his condition appeared to be so much improved that his early and complete recovery was confidently expected.  Thomas Preston Pigg was born near Knob Lick, Mo., on October 28, 1855, the eldest son of Jesse and Sarah  Smith Pigg.  On April 2, 1876, he was united in marriage to Julia A. Starkey.  To their union three children were born - one daughter and two sons.  The wife and mother preceded him in death on February 28, 1937.  The children are Mrs. Edna B. Kim, of Ironton, Clarence, of St. Louis; and Everett, of E. St. Louis, Ill.  He is also survived by five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one sister.  Interment was in the Methodist Cemetery at Patton.