The Thomas Families of Linn County, Iowa

JEREMIAH THOMAS, a prominent and successful farmer of Franklin Township, came into Iowa with his father's family in 1848, and is thus entitled to be classed among the early pioneers. He has remained here since that time, and has witnessed the growth of a country which gave early promise of great things to be. Ikhas assisted in its development and progress, and has a just pride in contemplating the position which the Ilawkeye State occupies among the Territories of the West. Mr. Thomas was one of that class who began life amid difficulties and with limited advantages. His opportunities for education were only such as those afforded by the pioneer schools, but his industry and perseverance supplied what at this later day the youth of America now seemingly acquire without a struggle. Great credit is due Mr. Thomas for the position which he occupies among the honored citizens of the Hawkeye State, and in his later days he may be wholly pardoned for viewing with pride the result of what he has accomplished by sheer force of will and the elements of character which nature endowed him with.

Jeremiah Thomas was born in Fayette County. Ohio, Aug. 21, 1834. His father, Joseph D.Thomas, was also a native of the Buckeye Male and was born in Pickaway County, in 1813. His grandfather, also named Jeremiah, was a pioneer of Pickaway County. He went there and settled down amidst the wilderness, converted a tract of timber land into cultivated fields. lived to enjoy a rich reward of his labors, and terminated his life upon the spot which had witnessed his early labors and final triumphs.

Joseph D. Thomas, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in his native county, and after his marriage rented land in Fayette County, living there and in Pickaway County until 1848. In the fall of that year, with his wife and eight children, he set his face westward for the land beyond the Mississippi. Their outfit consisted of a span of horses and a wagon, and they camped and cooked by the wayside, and after traveling one month they reached Linn County, where in Franklin Township they rented a house, into which the family moved. He entered land in Benton County and rented land in Linn County seven or eight 3rears before he was prepared to occupy the land, to which he afterward obtained a title. In due time he occupied his own farm, remaining upon it until the fall of 1878. lie then sold out and removed to Missouri, locating at Hopkins, in Nodaway County. While on the journey he was taken ill, and died a week later. His wife had previously died in Linn County, in 1849.

Jeremiah Thomas, the subject of our sketch, was the second child of his parents, and after the death of his mother went to live with Mr. James M. Burge, with whom he made his home until he arrived at years of manhood. In 1859, in company with others, he started with ox-teams for an overland journey across the plains. They started out May 1, and landed at Placerville, Cal., on the 25th of September. There were forty teams and about 100 men in the party. Mr. Thomas entered the mines and was occupied in digging for gold until the following May. He then went to Napa Valley and spent the summer, then to the mines in Trinity, Cal., continuing there until 1863, and on the 23d of July of that year set sail from San Francisco, via the Isthmus of Panama, for New York, and thence to Linn County. Here he spent the winter with Mr. Burge in a hotel at Mt. Vernon, and in the spring of 186 I resumed farming.

In the June following his return from California.Mr. Thomas was united in marriage with Miss

Frances J. Burge, daughter of James M. and Sarah E. (McRoberts) Barge (see sketch on another page of this volume). After this important event he established himself upon a rented farm, and not long afterward obtained possession of the place which he now owns and occupies. It was timber land, and required a great amount of labor to bring it to a state of cultivation. He cleared fifty acres, and erected a good set of farm buildings. He has added to it by the subsequent purchase of eighty acres on section 16, and now has a fine tract of land under a good state of cultivation.

Five children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas: Mary E., Joseph A., Nora E., James T., Francis J. The faithful wife and mother passed to her rest Aug. 8, 1878. The second marriage of Mr. Thomas occurred April 2, 1879. He was then united with Mrs. Margaret J. (West) Harmon, a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and the daughter of Wesley and Polly A. (McKay) West, and widow of S. D. Harmon, by whom she became the mother of two children — Oliver D. and George L.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are earnest and active communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as worthy members of society are endeavoring to contribute their share toward the general good and well-being by every means within their power. Their homestead constitutes one of the attractive features of the township, and is the above of peace, plenty and good order. A lithographic view of their residence is shown on another page of this work.

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

Theophilus Thomas, a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of Fairfax township, is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred acres on section 12. His birth occurred in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, on the 15th of November. 1856, his parents being Thomas R, and Marguerite (Evans) Thomas, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Wales. Thomas R. Thomas, whose natal year was 1818, was actively identified with general agricultural pursuits in the Keystone state for many years. On coming to Iowa he resumed farming and was successfully engaged in the work of the fields until called to his final rest in September, 1880. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Marguerite Evans and whom he wedded in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, was born in

1826 and was a maiden of sixteen when she accompanied her parents on their emigration to the United States. She departed this life May 11, 1910.

Mr. Thomas of this review was one of a family of nine children, the others being as follows: George W., who wedded Alice Shaw and now conducts a general mercantile establishment at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; Edward, who married ]\1 iss Hannah Ellis and follows farming in Johnson county; John, who wedded Samantha Ream and is a carpenter residing in Fairbury. Jefferson county. Nehraska; Howard, who was killed at the age of twenty-five years while acting as engineer on the Pensylvania Central Railroad, leaving a wife. Frances (Brown) Thomas, and three children, Ross. Clinton and Alice; Elizabeth, the wife of Spencer Pate, who is a farmer by occupation; Robert L., an agriculturist of Johnson county. Iowa; Alexander, who wedded Miss Bertha Byron and follows the carpenter's trade in Perry. Iowa; and William, likewise a carpenter by trade, who lives at home.

Theophilus Thomas obtained his early education in a little log schoolhouse in his native county and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In the spring of 1878, when a young man of twenty-two years, he removed with his parents to Johnson county, Iowa, there remaining for one year. He then took up his above in Gage county, Nebraska, but after working by the month for about a year he returned to Johnson county, this state, his father having died during his absence. The operation of the home farm then claimed his attention for a period of three years, at the end of which time he bought a tract of forty acres for himself, but two years later sold the property to his mother. Subsequently he rented a farm from Mr. Swisher for two years and then once more removed to Nebraska, there working by the month for one year.

On the expiration of that period Mr. Thomas again took up his above in Johnson county. Iowa, but twelve months later came to Linn county and located on the property which he now occupies, first working by the month for two years and also drilling wells for a year. He was here married in 1890 and four years later rented a farm. In 1803 he bought a tract of eighty acres and in 1895 purchased the old homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, so that his landholdings now comprise two hundred acres on section 12. Fairfax township. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Thomas also conducts a dairy and in both branches of his business is meeting with gratifying success. The prosperity which he now enjoys is directly attributable to his own efforts, for he started out in life on his own account with a cash capital of but thirteen dollars. His farm is under a high state of cultivation and improvement, and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.

On the 20th of November, 1890. Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Miller, a daughter of Aquillar and Temperance (Phillips) Miller, who were natives of York county. Pennsylvania, and Richland county, Ohio, respectively. The father was born January 22, 1827. his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Winter).Miller, both natives of York county. Pennsylvania. Mrs. Elizabeth (Winter) Miller lived to attain the ripe old age of ninety-two years, passing away on the 15th of March, 1892. Her family numbered seven children, five sons and two daughters. Aquillar Miller, the father of Mrs. Thomas, lived in Ohio for a short time after leaving the Keystone state but in the spring of 1851 settled in Fairfax township, Linn county, Iowa. He acts as a deacon in the Christian church and now makes his home with our subject, The mother of Mrs. Thomas was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hedrick) Phillips, who were farming people. Her natal dav was November 29, 1825. and she passed awav March 15, 1892.

Unto Aquillar and Temperance (Phillips) Miller were born the following children: Sarah E., whose birth occurred July-1. 1850; Mary J., who was born April 25, 1852, and died December ( 1890; Samantha A., who passed away on the ISth of September, 1858; Thomas M., whose birth occurred November 5, 1855, and who died January 5, 1869; Jaeintha A., whose natal day was October 5, 1857, and who passed away February 27, 1865; Jason L. S., born January 25, 1859, who died September 10, 1859; William E., whose birth occurred August 5, 1860, and who follows the plumber's trade in Seattle, Washington; Avery E., born December 21, 1863, who married Nellie L. Hill, a daughter of James Hill, of Cedar Rapids; and Carrie M., who first opened her eves to the light of day on the loth of October, 1867.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have three children, namely: Ella M.. whose birth occurred April 21, 1894; Glenn Harold, born May 6, 1896; and Elliott Aquillar, whose natal day was December 17, 1897. They have also reared and educated Lillie Stevenson, a daughter of Mrs. Thomas' sister Jane.

Mr. Thomas is a republican in his political views and has served for two terms as school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Royal Circle of Cedar Rapids and the Modern Brotherhood of America and formerly served as treasurer of the latter organization. He and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church, to which they contribute liberally of their time and means. Mr. Thomas has been deacon in the church for eight years. He is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor, his sterling qualities winning him the friendship and regard of a large circle of acquaintances.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THEOPHILUS THOMAS.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

WILLIAM G. THOMAS

William G. Thomas, connected with railroad interests in the operative and administrative departments, being now chief clerk at large for the sixth district, was born in Andrew. Jackson county, Iowa, on the 20th of April. 1SG0. His father was Benjamin Franklin Thomas, who was born at Harbour Creek, Erie county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1831. The grandfather, William Thomas, came to Iowa with his family in 1850, settling in Jackson county upon a farm near Andrew. Desiring an education which he believed would promote his usefulness and worth in the world. Benjamin P. Thomas early began work as a farm hand with the end of obtaining the means necessary to continue his education. At length he entered the State Normal at Andrew and subsequently engaged in teaching for a time, after which he began the study of law, devoting the remainder of his life to active practice. His preliminary reading was directed by the firm of Osgood & Streeter, prominent attorneys at Joliet, Illinois, with whom he remained for three years and was then admitted to the bar. Benjamin P. Thomas located for practice in Monticello. Minnesota, and it was during his practice there that he was married, on the 15th of July, 1859, to Miss Mary E. Gallow. The following year witnessed their removal to Andrew, Iowa, and through his remaining days Mr. Thomas continued an important factor in the development of Jackson comity. lie proved himself the friend of young men who studied law in his office and who gave to him their unqualified allegiance, respect and love. In the '80s he established his home at Maquoketa, where he lived up to the time of his death, his law practice being second to none in volume and importance. A contemporary biographer said of him that he "was a man of gentle nature and good heart, always ready to help a friend. Although a lawyer and in love with his profession, he did his best to discourage litigation and would even sacrifice a fee if he thought it best for the client whom he served. While a man of strong convictions, he never obtruded his opinions upon others, yet ever gave respectful attention when other men expressed their views. He sought to govern by persuasion and to lead by gentleness rather than power and by these methods often won his ends. For many years he was active in religious work and was superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school until advanced age caused him to put aside that work. He enjoyed the respect of his neighbors and friends and throughout the community was known as a loving father, a faithful companion and a loyal citizen." His family numbered five children: B. F., who is now postmaster at Omaha. Nebraska; William G.; Mrs. Charles Patterson, of Maquoketa; Charles M.. an attorney of Maquoketa; and Mrs. Lucile Eyr, who is deceased.

William G. Thomas, spending his youthful days in his parents' home, devoted his time to the pleasures of youth and the acquirement of an education in the public schools, supplemented by study in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. He began teaching in the district schools when eighteen years of age and devoted his time to that work through seven terms. In 1882 he attended college in Mount

Vernon, after which he was employed in Dunn's clothing store in Maquoketa for two years. On the 21st of September, 18S5. he was appointed to a position in the railway mail service, running: between Maquoketa and Davenport, and seven months later was transferred to the line running out of Chicago over the Chicago, Savannah & Cedar Rapids Railroad to Marion. He was upon this Line until January 28. 1008, at which time he was appointed chief clerk at large of the sixth division, with headquarters at Cedar Rapids, having jurisdiction over Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming. Being a young man and with twenty-five years of actual experience in connection with the railway mail service we may look for further advancement along the lines of the position he has so faithfully filled for so many years.

In 1897 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Elenora X. Miller, of Olin, Iowa. In politics he is a republican and fraternally holds membership in Crescent Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., while in the Iowa Consistory he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a prominent member of Star of the "West Lodge, No. 1. Knights of Pythias, and was grand vice chancellor of the order in 1896. He is still very prominent in the state work of that organization. Holding membership in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, he is now serving on its official board and is chairman of the social department of the Wesleyan class, numbering one hundred and sixty-nine members. He takes active interest in church and fraternal work, those things which count for moral progress, for the establishment of high ideals of living and for larger enjoyment of social companionship among men.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.