Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 403. HONORABLE THOMAS H. TONGUE One of the most prominent and able of the younger men of the State of Oregon, was born in England on June 23, 1844. His parents were Anthony and Rebecca (Lawson) Tongue, he being their only child. He was educated in England until his fifteenth year, when his parents emigrated directly to Washington county, Oregon, where they located on a farm. He was sent to the Pacific University, at which institution he was graduated with honor in 1868, after which he read law with Hon. W. D. Hare, being admitted to the bar in 1870. He began his practice in Washington county, where, by close application to business, aided by his natural ability and acquired endowments, he soon achieved a prominent position. He has long had entrusted to him many of the most important cases of the county, which he has conducted successfully and well, receiving satisfactory and deserved verdicts. He early espoused the principles of the Republican party, by which party he has been several times honored by nominations to prominent official positions, serving, locally, as a member of the Council of his city, and also as its Mayor, besides belonging to the School board for six consecutive years. It was while a member of the latter board, that he assisted in erecting the fine school building, now possessed by this city. He was in 1888 elected to the State Senate, and served on the judiciary and other committees. It was during this session that the all-absorbing question came up as to whether a bill should be passed exempting Portland municipal bonds from taxation. In opposition to this measure, Mr. Tongue distinguished himself, evidencing that, if not gifted with a "silver tongue," he had an active member of flesh and blood which answered all practical purposes. His constituents were so well satisfied with his service, that they re-elected him, and he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee during the second session of the term, rendering the State efficient service in that capacity. He was Chairman of the Republican State Convention, held at Portland in 1890, and was a delegate to the National Convention of the party at Minneapolis, in 1892, in which he served as Vice-President from Oregon. He has served several years as member of the Republican State Central Committee; is Chairman of the Central Committee of the First Congressional District, and is State President of the Young Men's Republican Club. His profession, has, however, claimed most of his time and attention. He helped to organize the First National Bank of Hillsboro, since when he has served as one of its directors. In company with others, he has platted several additions to the city of Hillsboro, in which ventures he has been very successful. He owns personally about 1,000 acres of land adjoining and near the city, besides having interests in other parcels. He also interests himself in the raising of trotting and road horses. Besides these, he owns a fine herd of Ayshire cattle, and is raising Berkshire hogs. In these various pursuits he benefits his county, and more remotely the community at large, by stimulating the people toward the cultivation of that which is best. Mr. Tongue was married in 1868, to Miss E. M. Eagleton, a native of Indiana. They have seven children, all of whom were born in Washington county. They are: Edith L., Edmund Burke, Mary G., Bertha R., Thomas H. Jr., Emily Elizabeth and Florence. The Senator is a Past Master Mason, and delivered in 1888 the oration before the Grand Lodge, which was published in several Masonic journals. He has also taken an active part in the I.O.O.F., of which he is Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch. He is a member of the Grange at Hillsboro, in which he takes a deep interest, advocating its advancement and the best interests of the farm. During his political career, he has made many eloquent and powerful speeches, and has proved himself to be an orator of no mean ability. His life is a counterpart of his word, and his precepts are always reflected in his actions. Transcriber's additional notes: Census 1860, June 19; Washington Co, Forest Grove Pct, p 624 Thomas Ochin, 46, ENG, farmer, $1000 real estate / $3000 pers prop. Mary Ochin, 46, ENG, $3000 real estate Elisha? Miller, 16, IL Lad? Miller, 74, IL Thomas Tongue, 16, ENG Anthony Tongue, 36, ENG Rebecca Tongue, 36, ENG Sarah Beck, 44, ENG 1870, Washington Co, OR; Hillsboro Pct, p 490 T. H. Tongue, 26, ENG, lawyer, $1200 real estate / $500 pers. prop. Margaret, 21, IN, keeping house 1880, June 30; Washington Co, OR; Hillsboro Pct, p 365 Thomas H. Tongue, 35, ENG, ENG, ENG, atty. at law Emily M, wife, 31, IN, IN, IN, keeping house Edith L, dau, 8, OR, ENG, IN, att. school Edmund B, son, 7, OR, ENG, IN, att. school Mary G, dau, 5, OR, ENG, IN, att. school Bertha R, dau, 3, OR, ENG, IN Thomas H, son, 10/12, OR, ENG, IN Mark Hoffman, 26, OR, --, --, works on farm, Divorced Jessee Warren, 23, OR, --, --, works on farm, single Sarah Chapman, 23, OR, --, --, servant, single 1900, June 8; Washington Co, OR; South Hillsboro Pct, p 288 Thomas Tongue, 56, June 1843, ENG, ENG, ENG, mar 31 yrs, congressman, to US 1859 Margaret E, wife, 51, Dec 1848, IN, IN, IN, mar 31 yrs, 8 children-7 living Burke E, son, 27, April 1863, OR, ENG, IN, single, lawyer Mary G, dau, 25, March 1875, OR, ENG, IN, single Bertha R, dau, 23, April 1877, OR, ENG, IN, single Thomas H, son, 20, July 1879, OR, ENG, IN, single, att. school Elizabeth E, dau, 18, June 1881, OR, ENG, IN, single Florence, dau, 13, Sept 1886, OR, ENG, IN, single, att. school Anna Ginser, servant, 20, Aug 1879, TX, BOH, BOH, single, house servant 1910, April 18; Washington Co, OR; South Hillsboro Pct, p 218; Second st. Margaret E Tongue, 61, IN, IN, IN, Wd, 8 children-7 living, own income Bertha R, dau, 31, OR, ENG, IN, single 1920, Jan. 6; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 25, p 220; 18th st. Emily Tongue, 71, IN, IN, IN, Wd Bertha, dau, 42, OR, ENG, IN Florence Munger, dau, 33, OR, ENG, IN, Div., claims clerk, railroad Margaret, gr dau, 10, CA, MI, OR McElroy, gr son, 5 8/12, OR, MI, OR ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.