CARRICO, Thomas W.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 1122-1124

Probably no resident of Rockford has been more closely connected with its growth from an unimportant village to one of the most enterprising cities of Northern IL than Thomas W. CARRICO.  He was born in Beverly [Essex County], MA, in June 1830, and the most active part of his life has been passed within the city of Rockford [Winnebago County, IL].  For many years he has resided in his beautiful home at No. 913 Kilburn Avenue.

The parents of our subject, Thomas and Mary (RAYMOND) CARRICO, were natives of New England, born and reared in Beverly, MA.  His paternal grandfather, Benjamin CARRICO, was a mechanic, and his maternal grandfather, who was a merchant man, traded with southern islands in mahogany and other choice woods.  Our subject is the only child, with the exception of a daugher, Mary, deceased.  After the death of his mother, which occurred when he was quite small, he was tenderly cared for by an aunt, Mrs. W. F. PARISH, of Beverly.  His father removed to OH, and some time in the 1840's proceeded thence to Logan [Harrison County], IA, where he married again and remained until his death in 1881.

In the spring of 1854 Mr. CARRICO came West to Rockford, where three years later he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L., daughter of Benjamin [portrait p 1122] and Eleanor (MAYNARD) KILBURN, natives of MA, who had come to Rockford in 1837.  After their marriage the young couple located at once on a tract of land comprising 160 acres, which he purchased from the government, and which was located a short distance from the present post office, but at that time considered out in the country.  Mr. and Mrs. CARRICO were married in a house that stood on the site of their present home, where she was also born.  The stone quarry and sand bed, which have since proved so valuable, are now in the thickly-settled part of the city.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. CARRICO, one of whom died in infancy; Frank K., died in 1890 of consumption, aged 30 years; and Mary E., wife of John SALTER Jr., of Chicago, died in 1891, at the age of 27 years, leaving two little daughters to the care of the bereft grandparents.  The six children are bright and beautiful, the comfort of their grandparents as well as the solace of their father.  Fred K., the youngest son, now 13 years old, lives with his parents.  Mrs. CARRICO is one of seven children, of whom she alone survives.  Her father died in 1861, but her mother still survives at the advanced age of 81, and makes her home with Mrs. CARRICO.

Mr. CARRICO is still carrying on a large business in building stone and sand.   Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and although he belongs to no sect or creed, preferring liberty of thought and belief, yet he is an ever-willing supporter of reformatory measures, and has a neat little mission chapel on his beautiful grounds.

Benjamin KILBURN was born in Belchertown [Hampshire County], MA, in 1808, and was one of the very earliest of the pioneers of Rockford, there being but two or three residents here at the time of his arrival.  He lived through the period of transition from the wild waste to the flourishing city, and was always interested in anything that tended to the advancement of the place.  Although he passed away in the prime of life, when only 52 years old, his influence was widespread, and he left a name that is imperishable in the annals of Rockford.  Kilburn Avenue, a beautiful street, is named in his honor, and the old residents still remember Mr. [p 1124] KILBURN, to whom they always refer with affection.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.