Theophilus Thomas

THEOPHILUS THOMAS

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 History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.