Thomas Locke (1808 - 1889)

Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Thomas' lifetime.

In 1808, in the year that Thomas Locke was born, in late November or early December, the "mystery volcano" erupted. The eruption was so large that it affected air temperatures, the color of the sun, and cloud formations. It is believed the volcano was located in the western Pacific Ocean, somewhere between Indonesia and Tonga. Scientists are still trying to figure out the (exact) where, when, and how.

In 1838, Thomas was 30 years old when on May 26th, the Native American Cherokee Nation was forced to march the Trail of Tears - relocating them to west of the Mississippi. When gold was discovered in Georgia in 1828, settlers wanted the Cherokee land. 16,543 natives were forced to march - it is estimated that 2,000 to 6,000 died along the way.

In 1858, at the age of 50 years old, Thomas was alive when on October 28th, Macy's department store opened in New York City. Founded by Rowland Hussey Macy, it was at first a dry goods store - essentially a store that sold textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, and sundries

In 1866, Thomas was 58 years old when Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in Germany. During his lifetime he held 355 patents, of which dynamite was the most famous. He also established the Nobel Prizes in his will.

In 1889, in the year of Thomas Locke's passing, on March 4th, Benjamin Harrison became the 23rd President of the United States. His grandfather, William Henry Harrison, was the 9th President of the United States. His father, John Scott Harrison - son of William Henry - was in the U.S. House of Representatives.