Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

It is an important public duty to honor and perpetuate as far as possible the memory of a prominent citizen—one who by his blameless and honorable life and distinguished career reflected credit upon his entire county, and thus his death, which occurred October 14, 1906, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends as well as well as to the members of his immediate household.  Mr. Thomas was born in Wales in 1841, a son of Griffith and Catherine Thomas, who were likewise natives of Wales, whence they removed to America in 1845, locating on a farm near Omro, Wisconsin.  The father died in 1886 and the mother in 1892, both aged eighty-six.

T. G. Thomas was a little lad of four years when he was brought from his native country to the United States.  He remained on the home farm until 1869, or until he had reached the age of twenty-eight years, when he came to Buena Vista county and settled on a farm within two miles of Sioux Rapids.  Here he was actively engaged in farming and stock-raising for eighteen years, when, in 1887, he took up his abode in the city of Sioux Rapids and gave his entire attention to buying and selling stock, in which he met with gratifying success.  He accumulated a valuable farm property, in all about one thousand acres.  For many years Mr. Thomas was connected with the business interests of this section of the state but the last few years of his life, owing to ill health, he lived retired.  His death occurred October 14, 1906, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years.

Mr. Thomas was married September 20, 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Silverthorn, daughter of J. P. and Freda (Fish) Silverthorn, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas there were born two sons:  L. J., who wedded Miss Catherine Robinson, and is a stock buyer of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Raymond F., who wedded Miss Addie Skinner and resides in Sioux Rapids.

Mr. Thomas supported the men and measures of the republican party.  The founders of a state are not merely the men who handle the reins of government and control the public policy but are also those who carry civilization into hitherto wild regions and develop the natural resources of the state.  Such a one was T. G. Thomas, who came to Buena Vista county in pioneer days and from that time until his demise was an active factor in the upbuilding and development of his section of the state.  His purposes were ever kindly, his sympathy unbounded, and all who knew him felt honored by his friendship.