Thomas Stewart Semple (1886-1953)

SEE "Timeline" for chronological order of life events including any photos and documents as available; SEE "Media" for any documents and photos included from "Timeline" as available.

MEMORIAL: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=130625521 (burial site unidentified)

Thomas Stewart Semple (a) was born on May 7, 1886 in Burnbank, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK, a son of Henry Barr Semple and Jeanie "Janet" Campbell (Stewart) Semple.

Brother of William Semple (1871); Jane Campbell (Semple) Whitelaw (1872); Janet (Semple) Lang (1876); John Semple (1879); Henry Semple, Sr (1881); Marion (Semple) Mauchline (1883); Agnes Nancy (Semple) Haddon (1889) and Isabella "Isabel" Semple (1891). In 1901, Thomas and his family lived in Cathcart, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

On December 31, 1908, Thomas Semple married Catherine "Kate" (MacLaren) Semple (b). They became the parents of Henry (1909); Nancy (1911) and Jeanett (c.1919) Semple. Thomas came to the USA in 1910.

Later, on November 1, 1910, his wife and son, Kate & Henry, arrived in the United States. From 1911 to 1937, they lived in Montana where Thomas continued his work as a coal miner. The Semple family lived in the coal mining areas of Laurel, Yellowstone County and Washoe, Carbon County, Montana at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains.

In 1920, Thomas Semple, age 33, and his family were living in Laurel, Yellowstone County, Montana, including wife Catherine Semple, age 33, son Henry Semple, age 10, daughter Nancy Semple, age 8, newborn daughter Jeanette Semple, brother-in-law Andrew McLaren (a), age 23, and sister-in-law, Rilla McLaren, age 18. By 1930, they lived in Washoe, Montana. By 1930, they lived in Washoe, Montana.

In 1942, he registered for the WW II Draft noting his residence in Monessen, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania where there was coal mining. In 1946, Thomas Semple and his family moved to California.

On May 4, 1953, Thomas Stewart Semple, just 3 days from age 67, died in Los Angeles, California. His burial site or cremation is unverified.

Footnotes: (a) California Death Index has his middle name as "Thomas". (b) References also spell maiden name as "McLaren" in U.S. Census and Ship Passenger list.

References: U.S. Census; Scotland Census; 1908 Scotland Marriage Record; 1910 Ship Passenger list for USA arrival; California, U.S. World War I & II Draft Registration Cards; Billings Gazette, Billings, Montana, Dec 8 1973 issue; California Death Index (1940-1997); SEE Documents as available under “Media” or “Timeline” events

Links: http://death-records.mooseroots.com/l/208361214/Thomas-Stewart-Semple; Link:http://www.mocavo.com/Thomas-Semple-California-Death-Record-Index-1...; Link:http://vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ca/death/search.cgi

Note: Overview arranged by family researcher and great, great nephew, Jim Semple, Jr., subject to additions & corrections.