Thomas Jefferson Hadley died at age 14 from complications of tonsillitis at the home of his parents, Julius or JC and Nellie, on August 29, 1900. TJ, as he was lovingly called by his parents and friends, was a bright winsome child, manly in his behavior, industrious and enterprising in his habits, and a general favorite with all he came in contact. He appeared to have a mild form of tonsillitis, but after about two weeks, acute congestion in the lungs developed. According to the local newspaper, all the loving care could do was done, but the efforts were unavailing. The child was conscious to the last and seemed to realize that he must die, and just before death was summoned, he called the members of the family to his bedside for a farewell kiss, and passed into the endless sleep.
Thomas’ father was a blacksmith by trade, and the family, consisting of Thomas’ two sisters and parents, had moved by 1910 to Missoula Montana where JC managed a placer mine and lived to be 91.
