In the early annals of the Lannon area history, Thomas McCarty was a man to reckon with. He owned and operated a 240 acre farm in the Town of Menomonee, southwest of the intersection of Good Hope and Lannon Roads. Today this farm is a subdivision with streets named Fairview, Fillmore, Forest View, and Pleasant St.

   Young Thomas was reared in Menomonee Township and attended its' district schools. By Experience and observation, he became a well-informed man. His family met many hardships and trials in their early frontier days which only fortified him to the arduous labors of developing a new farm. His fellow ethnic townsmen and others. appreciating his worth and ability called upon him to serve in positions of public trust.

    McCarty was brought up as a farmer but his fame was attained in a larger arena. A Democrat, he was elected assessor at age 31. He was a state assembly member for several years, representing Menomonee, Lisbon, Oconomowoc, Delafield, Pewaukee, and Brookfield. At the same time, he was elected to 14 terms as the Town of Menomonee Chairman which entitled him to a place on the Waukesha County Board where he served on the Building Committee that built the County Jail.. He served two terms as Chairman of the Waukesha County Board.