STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 121
It would probably be difficult to go into another county in the state and scratch up a prosecuting attorney who discharges his duty more in harmony with the real interests of the people than does the Scott county prosecutor. T. J. Priest is a son of Henry and Sarah A. (Ward) Priest, and was born in Bloomfield precinct, Scott county, Illinois, November 18, 1858. His parents are natives of Ohio. Our subject was reared on the farm and when nineteen years of age could lay the ordinary fellow in the shade cutting or husking corn. He attended the district school at Bloomfield and, at the age of twenty-two, after he had been granted a certificate to teach, he took a thorough course at the Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, returned home and began his career as a teacher at Zion's Neck. His second term was at Zion's Neck, taught in the Haney district, and then two terms at Zion's Neck. In 1884 he began the study of law, and in 1886 made the race for nomination to the office of county clerk, but failed. He then taught two terms of school at Alsey. In 1888 he quit teaching and attended law school at Valparaiso, Indiana, entering the junior year. In 1889 he again taught a term of school at Alsey, but in March, 1890, he returned to the law school at Valparaiso and graduated with his senior class in June following. During the time that he taught he received the highest salary paid any teacher in the county, with the single exception of one principal in one of the graded schools of the county.
June 25, 1890, Mr. Priest was married to Miss Nora May Bower, daughter of Deacon George G. and Margaret (Moore) Bower. Nora May Bower was born October 31, 1868, and was educated at Keller school. When Nora was twelve years old her mother died and she had to look after the house and care for three younger children - two brothers and a sister. Mr. and Mrs. Priest are the parents of three bright children - Ruth, aged nine; Helen Margaret, aged five, and Paul Henry, aged six months.
In August, 1891, Mr. Priest was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law. In 1892 he was elected by the democrats of Scott county to the office of prosecuting attorney, was re-elected it 1896, and again in 1900. This is an official record that speaks well for the ability and popularity of Mr. Priest. T. J. Priest is now forty-four years old and is living quietly on his little plantation of fourteen and a half acres in the south part of Winchester, where, as a side line, he raises pure blood Chester White hogs and barred Plymouth Rock chickens. He is a young man possessing the highest appreciation of official duty, dignity and character, and conceals nothing that should be given to the public.