Joseph Thomas

As printed in 1910

JOSEPH THOMAS (1868), deceased. For a number of years, in the very early history of Jackson county, there was one man known far and wide, who could have justly claimed title to being the "most prominent" man in Jackson county. This was Joseph Thomas, who came to the county in 1868 and settled on what has ever since been known as Thomas hill, on the east side of the Des Moines river in the village of Jackson. For years he was the only business man in Jackson county, during the time when there was not a railroad or a town in the county. He kept a hotel and postoffice on the hill, and to his place came all who were passing through the country. The hospitality of Joseph Thomas and his estimable wife were known far and wide. He played a prominent part in the county’s early history.

Mr. Thomas was born in New Jersey in 1810, and after several westward moves came to Jackson county in the spring of 1858. He and his son and one or two others drove up from Newton, Iowa, carrying their own bridges with which to cross the streams. He selected a site for his home, upon which was a desert* ed log cabin. The small children were brought up to the new home in 1859, and a permanent home was established. Mr. Thomas conducted a hotel for the accommodation of the few travelers, and a little later secured the establishment of a postoffice, of which he was the postmaster.

He and his family were obliged to desert their home in 1862 on account of the Indian massacre and subsequent hostility of the savages, and for a time he lived in Spirit Lake. Mr. Thomas continued to reside at the old home until his death, which occurred February 28, 1891.

In 1831 occurred the marriage of Mr. Thomas to Jane Van In Wegin, to whom were born nine children.

As printed in An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.