William G. Thomas

As printed in 1911

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 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.