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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Portrait and
Biographical History of
Fayette, Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.
1892
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WILLIAM THOMAS,
one of the self-made men of Madison County, who is engaged
in farming and stock-raising in Stokes Township, was born in
Grayson County, W. Va., Dec. 18, 1813, and is a son of
Moses and Catherine (Williams) Thomas. His father
was a native of North Carolina, and when a boy went to
Virginia, where he met and married Miss Williams, a
native of Grayson County. Our subject was the eighth
of nine children who were born until them in that county.
With one exception, all grew to mature years, but he has
only one sister now living, Mrs. NAncy Huffman, of
Stokes Township. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1823,
locating in Fayette County, where the father leased two
hundred acres of land and built a blacksmith shop. He
worked at his trade while his sons operated the farm and
there resided until his death.
Our subject was early inured to the hard labor of the
farm and in his youth he also learned blacksmithing.
At the age of twenty, he started out in life for himself,and
soon afterward married Miss Lavina, daughter
of William and Anna (Willis) Beauchamp. She was
born in Clarke County, Ohio, June 20, 1815, and they were
married Oct. 10, 1833. They began their domestic life
upon a rented farm and five years later Mr. Thomas
purchased one hundred and fifty-seven acres of wild land,
upon which not a furrow had been turned or a tree cut.
He built a log house of two rooms, and began the improvement
of his farm, which is now under a high state of cultivation.
A pleasant residence has long since replaced the cabin home.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born thirteen
children, and, with, the exception of one who died at the
age of live, all grew to manhood and womanhood: Noah,
now of London, who was born in Fayette County, Aug. 1, 1884,
served as County Auditor for a number of years, was Warden
of the
Ohio Penitentiary four years, and was appointed by Gov.
Foster and by Gov. Foraker
Superintendent of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home in Xenia,
where he remained four years. He served three years in
the late war and lost an arm at the battle of Cold Harbor.
In politics, he is a Republican. He has been twice
married and has five children. Moses, the
second son, was born Dec. 30, 1835, and owns a farm of one
hundred acres in Stokes Township. He is married and
has nine children. William Thomas, born
Dec. 11, 1837, is a graduate of Yellow Springs College.
He served three years in the late war, was shot in the left
leg at the battle of Petersburg and is now crippled.
He gets a pension of $15. With his wife and three
children he makes his home in Yellow Springs. Jephtha,
born Nov. 27, 1839, was also one of the boys in blue.
He died Dec. 25, 1887, leaving live children. John
Wesley, born Jan. 22, 1843, died in August, 1885,
leaving six children. Robert L., born Apr. 29,
1845, is a farmer of Pocahontas County, Iowa, and by his
marriage has four children. Huston, born Oct.
19, 1849, resides on a farm of one hundred and twenty-six
acres in Stokes Township with his wife and two children.
Jasper, born Mar. 16, 1852, resides on the home farm.
By his marriage he has four children. Elijah,
born Jan. 9, 1855, is an agriculturist of Stokes Township,
and has one child. Oscar B., born Jan. 28,
1861, graduated from Yellow Springs College, engaged in
teaching in that place for three years, and was graduated
from the law school of Cincinnati. He is now attorney
at London, Ohio. Sarah Catherine, born
Sept. 9, 1841, became the wife of Henry Huffman,
and died in 1874, leaving three children. Mary
Ann, born Aug. 29, 1847, died at the age of five years.
Florestine, born Dec. 21, 1862, is the wife of
William Blessing, and unto them was born a
daughter Mar. 3, 1889, Dott.
From time to time, Mr. Thomas extended
the boundaries of his farm until he now owns three hundred
and twenty-seven acres of valuable land, which yields to him
a golden tribute. He cast his first vote for Gen.
Harrison in 1840, supported John C. Fremont in
1856, and has since been a Republican. He served as
Township Treasurer for six years but has never been an
office-seeker. For forty years he has been a member of
the Christian Church and his upright and well-spent life has
been in harmony with his profession.
Source:
Portrait and
Biographical History of
Fayette, Pickaway and Madison Counties, Ohio. Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Page 546 |
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