Thomas Hope was born on January 14, 1860, in New City, New York. He was a son of Charles and Ellen (Hughes) Hope, who both lived and died in New York State. Thomas Hope was eight years old when he came to Greenfield, Indiana, in January, 1868. He was afterward adopted by Willard Lowe, who raised him. He went to the common schools for a period of four months each year and Martin Ragsdale was his first teacher. He stayed with Willard Lowe for about seven years and then he worked around in the neighborhood by the day and by the month and often received only fifty cents a day for his work, but he saved enough to purchase his home.

On November 24, 1881, Thomas Hope was married to Sarah C. McCormick, who was the daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Bennett) McCormick, Patrick McCormick was born in Ireland and emigrated to America and lived in this county for a number of years. He was a farmer and a Democrat in politics. Catherine Bennett was born in Hamilton county, Ohio. Patrick and Catherine McCormick were the parents of the following children: James, John, Samuel, Andrew, Sarah C., who is the wife of the subject of this sketch; Laney Ann, who is the wife of James Liming, and Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Cup. Sarah C. McCormick was born on April 2, 1857. She is the mother of one child, Edgar Hope, who was married in May, 1915, to Ada Heim, of Greenfield. Edgar Hope was educated in the common schools of Brandywine township and the high school at New Palestine. He taught school for six years in Brandywine township and then graduated from the Central Business College of Indianapolis.

Thomas A. Hope has earned what he has by hard labor. He has never had a dollar given him. He now has a tract of twenty acres of land on which he has built a modern house of eight rooms. He raises hogs and cattle and horses. Mr. Hope is a Democrat in politics and was township assessor for six years, elected in 1908. He has also been a strong party worker. Edgar, his son, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Red Men.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 923-924.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 7, 2001.

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