Pioneers of Marion County by Wm. Wm. M. Donnel, 1872

Charles M. Thomas

Chas. M. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia at an early age, from thence to Van Buren county, Iowa, and from thence to his present residence in Swan, during the last week in '45. During his residence in Van Buren county, Mr. Thomas was made the victim of treachery, by which he nearly lost his life. Having a partnership interest in a claim there, he had been assisting his partner in the erection of a house, and was to receive his pay in return help. Being fond of milk he was treated to a mess of it at meal time, and took violently sick directly after, from which he did not recover for several weeks. From the sudden and violent nature of his sickness, and remarks made by his partner, it was evident that the latter had drugged the milk with a view of putting Mr. T. out of his way, and getting full possession of the claim.

Mr. Thomas has still in his possession a coffee mill with which the family ground several bushels of buckwheat during the early part of their pioneer life in Swan.