Thomas Sloan

B: December 25, 1812
D: July 24, 1929

Thomas Sloan, aged 116, Guthrie, Oklahoma, oldest resident of the state , as far as records go, died Sunday night.

He was born in Ireland, coming to America more than a century ago, and was rejected for service in the Civil War because he was too old. He was confined to his bed about a week prior to his death.

Sloan, whose age was verified a few years ago by a Catholic priest, who checked up with church records in Ireland, was born in Mourn Shore, County Down, Ireland, December 25, 1812.

He came to the United States with his parents in 1826, making the passage on a sailing vessel, in about two months.

In his youth, Mr. Sloan was a sailor, and when he found he was too old for service in the Civil War, he became a superintendent of bridge construction for the Northern Pacific Railroad, playing a major part in pushing that line into the wild frontiers of the west.

The aged Oklahoman came to this state when it opened for settlement , living in Mulhall for approximately 20 years, where he operated a shoe and harness shop. He retired from that business to a small farm, abd about 3 years ago, came to Guthrie, where he made his home with his stepdaughter, Mrs. M. R. Nickens.

Slaon was a student of religion and never used tobacco nor liquor. He was an ardent republican and delighted to discuss politics but in the last campaign , he voted for Al Smith.