This gentleman is the senior member of the well known and leading firm of hardware merchants that bears his name and owning to his keen business ability and energy, he has won a success that is exceedingly gratifying, while his property holdings in various parts of the country amount to vast estates of great value.
Thomas M. Mockler was born in Nova Scotia on March 23, 1867, being the son of Richard and Katherine (Brophy) Mockler. His father was a native of Ireland and came to Nova Scotia with his parents when four years old. He died in that country on February 9, 1888, aged sixty-four. The mother of our subject was born in New Brunswick; her parents were natives of Ireland later came from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia and live there now. Thomas M. was raised in that country and received his educational discipline in the district schools.
In 1882, he went to Sutter County, California, and spent four years with his uncle on a farm. Then a move was made to Lincoln County and a homestead taken by Mr. Mockler. He settled to steady business with a will and the result was, that inside of three years he had purchased and paid for three and one-fourth sections of land adjoining his homestead, of which he has sold all but one section. He was a dealer in stock and his excellent judgment and business tact won for him this mammoth domain. At the opening of the reservation, Mr. Mockler came hither and purchased about three-fourths of a section of land in various places in this County and now he handles it to the cereals.
In August, 1896, Mr. Mockler embarked in the hardware business and took as partner his cousin. John H. Mockler and since that time they have operated the largest establishment of the kind on the reservation. Since starting, they have not handled less than eleven car loads of farm goods each year exclusive of cutting machinery. They have an establishment stocked in a most complete manner and by strict adherence to business principles and fair dealing with deferential treatment of patrons, the firm has gained a trade that extends for many miles in every direction.
Mr. Mockler has brothers and sisters named as follows: John, in Nova Scotia: James, at Stillwater, Minnesota; William, in Alaska; Frank, handling a coal and ice business in South Omaha, Nebraska: Annie, wife of John Doe, in Omaha: Mary, wife of Horace Thissell, in Clinton. Massachusetts: Sarah, wife of Herman Morris: Kate, single, living in Nova Scotia; Ida, wife of Edward Chissel, in Omaha; Emma, single, also living in Nova Scotia.
Mr. Mockler has never left the ranks of the bachelors for the trying seas of matrimony. He is a man of integrity, ability and public spirit and is always forward in any movement that will advance the interests of the town or build up the County. Mr. Mockler has won many friends and his manifested wisdom, stability, and strong personality have called forth the admiration and respect of all.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903