In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1837
From History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people (1915)
THOMAS F. MARDIS.
Thomas F. Mardis, who passed away in 1908, was a prominent contractor of Winterset and erected many of the best buildings of the city. Lie was born in Ohio on the 19th of November, 1837, and was reared in New Comerstown, that state, where he attended the common schools and laid the foundation of his education, later becoming a student in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. He learned the mason's trade under his father and in 1857 removed to Washington county, Iowa, where he resided for a year or so, after which he became a resident of Osceola. He worked there for some time and saved money enough to enable him to attend college for two terms. He then taught school for a similar length of time in his alma water, after which he returned to Osceola and again took up the mason's trade. In 1874 li arrived in Winterset and soon established himself as a contractor and mason, building up an enviable reputation for thorough, honest work. He erected many of the leading business blocks and also a number of fine residences and would not tolerate any but good workmanship from his employes. In all of his business dealings he was honorable and upright and he was ranked among the successful men of the city. Lie was active until a short time before his death, which occurred on the 7th of April, 1908.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Mr. Mardis was a republican, his political views coinciding with the principles of that party. Fraternally he was a thirty-second degree Mason, becoming a member of Bellport Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M. at Osceola, in 1862. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was very popular not only in those organizations but among all of the residents of Winterset, his genial nature and large-heartedness winning him friends w'wherever he was known. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and no good cause ever appealed to him in vain.
As printed in History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name Thomas F. Mardis: John C. Mardis (b. 1861) Fred F. Mardis (b. 1874)
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.