Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL
Transcribed by Brandi McLoughlin

Thompson M. Wylie, member of the mercantile firm of McMillan & Wylie, at Tampico, was born June 29, 1837, in Fayette Co., Pa. Joseph L. Wylie, his father, was a hardware merchant and was married in Fayette County to Jane McKean, a native of the same county and State, of Scotch-Irish descent. The parents of Mr. Wylie reside on a farm in Tampico Township. He was educated primarily in the district schools of his native county, and completed his studies at Madison College when 19. He had also taught nine terms of school. In 1857 he accompanied his parents to Illinois, and the family located in Tiskilwa, Bureau County, where Mr. Wylie was a resident until he entered the military service of the United States during the Civil War. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, from Bureau County, in the 93rd Ill. Vol. Inf., regiment was commanded by Colonel Putnam, of Freeport, Ill., and was assigned to the Army of Tennessee. Following is a list of engagements in which Mr. Wylie was a participant: Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863; Champion Hill, May 16; Vicksburg, May 22. At the latter he sustained a gunshot wound in the calf of his leg. On recovery he was transferred to the 15th Army Corps under General Logan, and was afterwards in action at Mission Ridge, Nov. 16, 01863, and at Altoona, Oct. 5, of the same year. The regiment was attached to the command of General Sherman and from that on was under his orders during the march through Georgia to the sea, and the Carolinas and thence to the final scenes at Washington. Mr. Wylie received his discharge July 5, 1865. He returned to Bureau County and was for a short time interested in the lumber business. He came to Tampico in 1871 and formed the business relations in which he has since been engaged. The yearly aggregate of the transactions of the firm make an extended and prosperous exhibit. Mr. Wylie is a Democrat in political affiliation. He has served his township in the capacities of Supervisor and Clerk. He was first married in Neenah, Wis., to Helen Kellogg. She was born and educated in that place and was the daughter of a Wisconsin farmer. She died in Bureau Co., Ill. Mr. Wylie was married a second time, in Bureau County, Nov. 4, 1871, to Minnie Barnard. She was born July 29, 1871, in the county where she was married, and is the daughter of Josiah and Joanna (Carter) Barnard. Her parents were of New England origin and her father was a business man of Bureau County. Blanche, born July 12, 1872; Ralph, born Aug. 15, 1878, and Tracy, born May 6, 1872, are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wylie. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wylie has been connected with its official Board since the organization of the society at Tampico. He is also Sunday-school Superintendent.