The Thomas Families of Des Moines County, Iowa

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It was about 1844 that l-'li Thomas, was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Archer, a daughter of Hezekiah and Ellen Archer. They became the parents of three children: Alfred, who was born Aug. 3, 1845, d is living in Yellow Springs township: Hezekiah, who was born Sept. 20, 1847; and Shepard. who was born Feb. 11, 1850. They also lost two children, who died in infancy, and the wife and mother departed this life June 4, 1893, when in the seventy-second year of her age, her birth having occurred in Illinois, in December 1821. She belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Thomas was also a member, and their entire lives have been in harmony with their professions.

Wiewed from a financial standpoint. Mr. Thomas's career can certainly be claimed to be a success, for he started out with little capital and up to the time of his death was the owner of valuable farming lands, most of which lie in Des Moines county. He was, moreover, one of the honored pioneer settlers of this part of the State, having for, more than sixty years been a witness of the many changes that have occurred here. He saw the county when much of its land was wild and unimproved, when the city of Burlington was a small town, and when many of the now thriving villages had not yet sprung into existence. He felt a just pride in what was accomplished, and was interested in the progressive development of this portion of the State. He 4ived a quiet, unassuming life, yet displaced many sterling traits of character that commanded for him that veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to those who advance far on life's journey, and Mr. Thomas has now passed the eighty-sixth milestone.

Hezekiah Thomas, son of Eli Thomas, and now a well-known resident of Mediapolis. has spent his entire life in Des Moines county, having been reared upon his father's farm, while in the public schools he acquired his education. Oct. 19, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Aldoola S. See, a daughter of Michael and Jane E. (Tompkins) See. Her father was a pioneer minister and circuit rider on the Yellow Springs circuit. His first charge was located here, and he remained for five years in active work in the ministry in this community. He had previously resided on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa. His birth occurred in Kanawha. W. Wa.. Feb. 22, 181 7, and he came to Iowa when about eighteen years of age. He lived for some time in Louisa county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits, and his death occurred in Des Moines county, Nov. 16, 1898. Mrs. Thomas was born in Blue Grass, Iowa, July 26, 1871.

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Alfred Thomas is the owner of a ' valuable farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Yellow Springs township. He was born Aug. 3, 1845, his parents being Eli and Nancy (Archer) Thomas. His paternal grandfather, John Thomas, a native of England, was one of the honored pioneers of the State of Ohio, and contributed in substantial measure to its early development and progress. His maternal grandfather, Hezekiah Archer, was a native of South Carolina, and went from that State to Illinois, becoming a resident of Bond county. In 1835 he came to Iowa, and entered many hundred acres of land in Des Moines county, and here laid out four different townships — Pleasant Grove, Yellow Springs, Franklin, and Washington. He built a log house where Samuel H. Wilson now resides, and later he made and burned brick, which he used in the construction of a modern brick residence, it being the first of the kind in this section of the country, and here he lived till his death. He gave his sons one hundred and sixty acres each, and the farm of Wm. Archer was later sold to a Mr. Orendorf, and later sold, and the present improvements were placed thereon through the efforts of William McClements, who was then its owner. This was left to a son, Robt. McClements, and after a time Mr. Thomas bought this farm, and in 1902 he sold it to the subject of this review. The grandfather did much for the county in the way of reclaiming the district for the purposes of civilization, and his early efforts as an agriculturist proved an important element in laying the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of this section of the State.

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Alfred Thomas, reared under parental roof, early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. He pursued his preliminary education in the public schools, and afterward attended the Mount Pleasant Academy, thus receiving ample instruction as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties in later years. The occupation to which he was reared he has always followed. The first land which he ever owned was on Section H). yellow Springs township, and was a part of a claim that once belonged to a Revolutionary soldier. It was purchased by his father for one hundred and nineteen dollars, and later.Vlfrcd Thomas bought it for thirty dollars per acre. He continued its cultivation for a long piTiod. equipped it with modern accessories and conveniences, and in icx52 sold it to W'm. and Luther Mehaffy, cousins, for si.teen thousand dollars. The following year he purchased his present farm of his brother. This comprises two hundred and thirty acres of land, and constitutes a tract which was entered by his maternal grandfather. Mr. Thomas now has altogether two hundred and fifty acres on Section 31, Yellow Springs township. constituting one of the best-improved farms in this part of the county. He is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, feeding about a car-load of cattle each year. He makes a specialty of breeding Polled Aiigus cattle, and handling registered stock, lie also raises about eighty head of I'olaiKl China hogs annually, and at the present time has one hundred head on his place. His stock-raising interests prove a gratifying source of income, and at the same time his fields are well tilled and yield him good harvests.

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN L. THOMAS.

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John L. Tlmnias, a well-known resident of Mediapolis, Iowa, is a native of South Wales, born near.Xewcastle, and is a son of Daxid and.Mary (Lloycl) Thomas, his father being a farmer in his native country. hen a boy, the subject of this sketch left the paternal home, and engaged in any kind of work that came to his hand. IJeing of an ingenious turn of mind, he worked at many occupations, and mastered the trade of stone-mason without serving a regular apprenticeship.

Deciding to try his fortunes in the New World, he came to America in 1854, locating first at Newark. ( )hio. where he engaged in work as a stone-mason. From there he removed to Louisa county, Iowa, working at the same trade in Columbus City. In September. 185'' he removed to Des Moines coun\. where he worked on a farm in Section 8, Franklin township, and afterward rented a farm for a number of years.

His first purchase of land was forty acres in Section X, Franklin township. to which he added by subsequent purchases until lie had a farm of two hundred and eighteen acres. (Jn this place he lived until 18S4. when he sold out and retired from farming, removing to Mediapolis, which has ever since been his home.

He has also become the owner of valuable ])property in Alediapolis. and in i8<;o built the first bank building, and organized the first banking institution, in this village. This is known as the State Bank of Mediapolis, and he was elected and served on its board of directors. In the fall and winter of i8<)5-c)6 he organized the Citizens' State Bank of Mediapolis, of which he has ever since been president. Both of these institutions are considered the strongest banking houses in this part of the State.

He is a Republican in politics, and a warm supporter of that party's principles. Though not an aspirant for political honors, he has taken an active interest in local affairs, and has served as township trustee. He has often been a delegate to county and State conventions, and was a delegate to the convention that nominated Governor Shaw. He has always been devoted to the cause of public improvements, and was the builder of the Dudley Hotel in 1903-04, which was named in honor of his wife. He has been a liberal supporter of religion, giving generously on all occasions, irrespective of creed and denomination.

Upon moving to Mediapolis he virtually retired from business, except that he continued to look after his own property interests, which were very extensive. He is one of the largest property owners of Mediapolis and that vicinity. The correctness and accuracy of his business foresight ma\' be instance in connection with the building of the Dudley Hotel, in 1903, for he executed this project against the advice of many leading citizens, and yet the investment has ])moved to be one of the wisest and most profitable he ever made.

In November, 1881, Mr. Thomas was married to Mary A., daughter of David and Martha (Evans) Dudley, and a native of Licking county, Ohio. David Dudley was also a native of Wales, and emigrated to this country in 1842. selecting Licking county, (Jhio, as his place of settlement.

Mr. Thomas's success in life is a good illustration of what can be accomplished by industry, integrity, frugality, close attention to business, and good management. When he came to America his sole capital was good heahli. correct morals, and an earnest determination to succeed. To-day he is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life, a life lived in accordance with the rules he earhlaid down for his guidance, and is in the possession of a comfortable competence.

In May, 1886, he and his wife started for a well-earned holiday, visiting various parts of 'ales and England, and spending three months on the trip. When he emigrated to America he came in a sailing vessel which took five weeks and three days to make the passage across the Atlantic. On his return to his native land he crossed in eleven days, a good illustration of modern progress.

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PROF. S. O. THOMAS.

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At the close of the Civil War, Professor Thomas, linking his fate with that of the West, came to Des Moines county, arriving here in December. 1804, and took up the work of teaching in the rural district schools, After three very successful terms in the country schools, he was called into the service of the Burlington city schools, in the spring of 1867, and this has ever since been the scene of his efforts for the advancement of education, he teaching continuously for approximately forty years (with the exception of three years on account of poor health) in one school. During that time he was the principal, an office which he still retains, and whose duties he has discharged with such marked ability that his re-engagement year after year has always been considered a matter of course, and only modified in the ])public mind by the possibility that he might be induced, i)_\ M>nie of the many flattering offers that have come to him from other cities, to desert the local field. He has always chosen, however, to remain loyal to his first choice; and although the school comprised at his coming only one hundred twenty pupils, the number rapidly increased under his leadership). finally attaining the six hundred mark, with a corps of nine assistant teachers. In i8<>7 the old school edifice was destroyed by fire, and a new and modern structure consisting of twelve rooms, steam-heated, has been erected. In that year also a redistribution of school districts in the city limits cut off a large portion of the old territory, thus decreasing the number of )pupils to three hundred seventy-six: but more modern methods have been adopted, and while the number of pupils has been reduced, the number of assistants has been augmented to twelve, a change which has resulted in a marked increase of efficiency.

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Politically, Professor Thomas is allied with the Republican party, and in addition to his other activities has long been a prominent worker in the cause of religion, being a member of the Presbyterian church, which he has served for many years as deacon, and he still holds that office. As a man and a citizen his long and upright course has won him universal approbation, esteem, and regard, and his record of splendid achievement as an educator is for his adopted State a matter of unbounded pride and self-gratulation.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.