GOODSPEEDS' BIOGRAPHIES OF MADISON COUNTY, AR

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Submitted by: Carole Hammett & Rhonda Jameson
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Joseph THOMAS, Sr. , was born in Harlan County, Ky., June 26, 1817, and is a son
of James and Polly (JOHNSON) Thomas, who were North Carolinians, and after their
marriage moved to Kentucky, and were among the early white settlers of Harlan
County. They were about seventy-two years of age at the time of their respective
deaths. 

The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and during the late war was a
staunch Union man. They were church members, and their union was blessed in the
birth of fifteen children.

Their son Joseph began earning his own living at the age of sixteen years, and
was and was a farm laborer until he was twenty-one years old. He then came to
Madison County, Ark., and here he has resided since, engaged in farming. 

He is a great lover of hunting, a noted shot, and has had many interesting
adventures while on his hunting expeditions, all kinds of game having fallen a
victim to his skill. 

In 1842 he was married to Polly, a daughter of John BAILEY, an old settler of
Madison County, Ark. She was born in Knox County, Tenn., in December, 1826, and
became the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living: T. W., D. C.,
William M., Albert B., Andrew J. and D. B. 

Mr. THOMAS is a Republican and in 1862 enlisted in Company G, First Arkansas
Infantry, but at the end of twenty-one months was discharged on account of
disability. He was in the battle of Fayetteville and several skirmishes, and was
a member of the Brothers of Freedom." ." (Goodspeeds History of NW AR...)