Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Thomas, Samuel Barber October 20, 1820 - September 14, 1882
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Author: "History of Grundy County, Illinois", 1882

Samuel Barber THOMAS was a native of Pennsylvania, and the second son in a 
family of five sons and four daughters born to William and Margaret (EVANS) 
THOMAS. His father, though born in Chester County, in the same State, was of 
Welsh descent, and his mother a native of Wales. Until eight years of age, Mr. 
THOMAS lived in Chester County where he was born, when he went with his 
parents to Center County, in the central part of the State. Here he finished a 
common school education, and with this capital began life for himself as a 
clerk in a mercantile establishment at Jacksonville. He followed this line of 
occupation at various places until about twenty-six years of age, when he 
entered in partnership with L. W. IRVING in a milling and merchandising 
business. He subsequently went to Clearfield County, and went into the lumber 
business until 1852, when he removed to Peru, Ind., and for a year and a half 
engaged with that old-time railroad prince, Andrew DeGRAFF, in railroad 
construction. While here at work on the Indianapolis & Peru Railroad, a letter 
from his friend and former clerk, E. B. HANNA, reached him, urging him to 
accept a position in Morris, Ill. He at once accepted this offer, and entered 
the employ of Mr. HANNA as clerk in the mercantile business. Here, as in every 
position in life, Mr. THOMAS formed a wide circle of friends, and paved the 
way for the long and successful political career which soon followed. In the 
spring election of 1858, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the town of 
Morris, and on the 12th of April qualified, and assumed the duties of his 
office. For four years he amply justified the confidence bestowed upon him by 
his fellow-citizens, and at the same time so strengthened himself in the 
regard of a wider circle of friends, that, before the expiration of his term 
of office, he was called by the popular vote to the position of County Clerk. 
From 1861 to 1878, he filled this position continuously, and with such 
satisfaction to the people of the county, that he was elected in November of 
the latter year to the position of County Judge, a position he held until his 
death. During his nearly twenty-one years of public service, he held his high 
place in the public esteem unchallenged, and so marked with his eminent 
fitness for the position he occupied, that the public voice proclaimed him his 
own successor so long as he would consent to forego the pleasures of private 
life. In the fall of 1882, he was urged by various private considerations to 
refuse the use of his name as candidate for another term as County Judge, and, 
though persevering in this determination until the near approach of the 
nominating convention, he was at last overborne by the importunity of friends, 
and gave a half-hearted assent to his nomination. The convention was held on 
the 12th of September, and on Monday, the 14th, at 7:15, death intervened. On 
Saturday evening, he had gone home apparently in good health, although 
considerably fatigued by the bustle of the convention. A little after 9 
o'clock, a physician was summoned, but the patient had passed into an 
unconscious state from which he never rallied. Shortly after coming to Morris, 
Mr. THOMAS met and married Miss Amanda FERGUSON. She was a native of New York; 
was a daughter of Daniel and Amelia (FOWLER) FERGUSON, and born October 5, 
1828. No children resulted from this union, but devoted entirely to each other 
their lives so blended that death seemed only partially successful in rending 
them asunder.

The following account from the Morris "Herald" voices the public grief:

Death of Samuel B. THOMAS

Samuel B. THOMAS is dead. Hardly can we realize the truth of this statement, 
and so sudden was his demise that we cannot reconcile ourselves to the belief 
that it can be true. On last Saturday at 5:30 o'clock we were in conversation 
with him, and on Sunday morning came the announcement that he was dying.

On Saturday evening, about 6 o'clock, Mr. THOMAS went home and complained of 
not feeling well, attributing his condition to having been exposed to the heat 
of the sun too much during the day. His head troubled him. Home remedies were 
applied, but instead of receiving relief, he grew worse, until it was thought 
best to send for a physician. At a little after 9 o'clock Dr. FERGUSON was 
summoned, but before his arrival Mr. THOMAS has passed into an unconscious 
state, from which condition he never aroused. Dr. FERGUSON remained with him 
throughout the night, and the aid of other medical skill was summoned but 
without beneficial results. He never spoke after first becoming unconscious. 
Gradually he sank to rest, and at 7:15 Monday morning he passed away. Words 
avail nothing at such a time as this. His life has been an open book, read of 
all men who have looked upon him or came under his influence. He was a true 
man, devoid of everything unbecoming a gentleman. For over twenty years he has 
been connected with the political and social history of Grundy County, in that 
time coming in contact with all of our people, and we have yet to hear of a 
single person, regardless of his political opinion or social standing, who had 
ought to say against Samuel B. THOMAS. He was the friend of every man, woman 
and child in the county, and his demise brings mourning to every household.

Samuel B. THOMAS was born at St. Marys, Chester Co., Penn., October 20, 1820. 
At the age of eight years, with his parents he moved to Centre County, where 
after he arrived at the age of maturity, he was engaged in the lumber business 
and merchandising until 1852, when he moved to Peru, Ind., and for a year and 
a half was engaged with Andrew DeGRAFF in railroading. While there he 
contracted fever and ague, from which his system was never entirely freed. 
While at Peru he received a letter from an old time friend and former clerk, 
Mr. E. B. HANNA, inviting him to a situation in Morris. In 1854, Mr. THOMAS 
came here and entered the employ of Mr. HANNA, who was then in the mercantile 
business in this city.

April 6, 1858, deceased was elected to the position of Justice of the Peace 
for the town of Morris, and on the 12th of that month he qualified and assumed 
the duties of his office. On the 15th of November, 1861, before the expiration 
of his term of office as Justice of the Peace, Mr. THOMAS was elected to the 
office of County Clerk, which position he filled continuously until December, 
1877, when he qualified for the position of County Judge, to which office he 
had been elected at the November election preceding his term of office 
expiring in December next, and would have completed a continuous service of 
twenty-one years in the court house. What better record could be given to any 
man. Faithful to every trust, competent for every duty, affable, genial, whole-
souled, he won and held the confidence of all people. So strong was his hold 
upon the people, that when he had declared his intention of retiring from 
public life, old-time friends would not listen to his protest, but compelled 
him to signify his willingness to again accept the position of Judge, should 
the convention which assembled in this city on last Saturday tender him the 
nomination, with the unstanding always, that he would do no personal work to 
secure the nomination. At no time did he think seriously of receiving the 
nomination, and we know from him that he did not want it, and would not have 
accepted it had be been nominated only as above stated, for the satisfaction 
of his friends.

Shortly after coming to Morris, Mr. THOMAS made the acquaintance of Miss 
Amanda FERGUSON, sister of Sheriff and Dr. FERGUSON, of this city, and during 
his first year's residence here they were married, and for twenty-eight years 
have lived happily together.

The parents of Mr. THOMAS have been dead several years, and are buried in 
Centre County, Penn. Three brothers are living in Pennsylvania, and one sister 
in Kansas.

August 13, 1856, Mr. THOMAS was inducted into the mysteries of Freemasonry, 
and was raised from time to time until he reached the Knight Templar degree. 
He was a devoted member of the order, and filled various offices in the 
several branches. At the time of his death he was second in rank in the 
commandery.

The court house and city buildings were clothed in mourning. The flag at the 
Republican pole, which had proudly flaunted to the breeze, betokening 
victories in which the deceased had taken an active part to achieve, was hung 
at half-mast, now the emblem of sorrow for one who had been its friend and 
defender. Other flags in the city were placed at half-mast, and during the 
time of the funeral and services, at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon the business 
houses were closed.

Prior to the death of Mr. THOMAS, the Knight Templars of this city had been in 
constant attendance upon him; and after his death they took charge of his 
remains, and made all arrangements for the funeral services at the request of 
the widow. Representatives from the fraternity were present from all of the 
neighboring towns, which together with the county officials and the vast 
concourse of people from all parts of the county made up one of the largest 
gatherings for such an occasion ever held in the city.

The floral tributes were profuse and exceedingly appropriate. From the German 
society of this city came a pillow inscribed "Unser Freund". From the court 
house an anchor, surmounted by a star; from the Templars, a Maltese cross; 
from the family, a sickle and sheaf of wheat. There were many handsome 
bouquets.

The funeral services were held at the residence, Rev. YOUNG, of the M. E. 
Church, officiating, concluded at the grave by the Blue Lodge of Masons, 
followed by the Commandery.

And then was deposited all that was mortal of Samuel B. THOMAS, a specimen of 
God's noblest work - an honest man.

The following resolutions were adopted by the Cedar Lodge, A., F. & A. M., of 
this city:

WORSHIPFUL MASTER, WARDEN AND BROTHERS:

One of the most perfect columns of our superstructure - Past Master Samuel 
Barber THOMAS - has been stricken to earth by that insatiate archer - Death, 
whose sable wings spread a gloom over this Lodge of Sorrow.

Well has it been said that "the good die young", but our deceased brother was 
an exception to this rule. He possessed all the elements of a truly good man. 
Benevolence, courtesy and kindness were his companions; justice, integrity and 
morality were his rules of action. Therefore be it

Resolved, That in the death of Brother THOMAS, Cedar Lodge, No. 124, A., F. & 
A. M., has lost a just and upright Mason, society an exemplary citizen, his 
wife a kind and affectionate husband and Grundy County a faithful public 
servant.

That to his beloved wife we extend our heartfelt sympathy, and commend her to 
Him who doeth all things well, with the assurance that she will some day go to 
him in that haven of rest, where all is peace and perfect joy.

That a page in our record book be set apart as sacred to the memory of Past 
Master Samuel B. THOMAS, on which shall be inscribed his Masonic record.

That a copy of the preamble and resolutions be certified and presented to the 
wife of our deceased brother.

Perry A. ARMSTRONG,
L. P. LOTT,
Leander IRONS, Committee

Thursday, September 14, 1882

Board met pursuant to adjournment; called to order by the Chairman; present, a 
full Board, except Superintendent AYERS.

Minutes of yesterday's proceedings read and approved.

A motion by the Superintendent GERMAIN that the matter of fixing compensation 
of county officers be set for hearing at 11 o'clock was carried.

The committee appointed to draft resolutions of respect to the memory of the 
late Hon. S. B. THOMAS, deceased, present their report as follows, to wit:

Your committee to whom was referred the matter of the death of the Hon. S. B. 
THOMAS, County Judge, would beg leave to submit the following report on the 
matter before them:

WHEREAS, Death has removed from this community the Hon. Samuel B. THOMAS; and, 
whereas, it is but fitting that we, members of the Grundy County Board of 
Supervisors, who have known him personally and officially for many years, 
should express our respect for him as an officer and a man.

Be it resolved, That, in the demise of Judge S. B. THOMAS, the people of the 
county have lost the presence and counsel of a man whose daily life was pure, 
and whose kindly nature endeared him to all, of an officer who always did his 
duty fairly and and justly, whose sense of justice and equity was strong and 
constant, and whose memory will long be held in respect and venerance as that 
noblest work of God, an honest man, and further

Be it resolved, That a page of the record of the Board be dedicated to his 
memory, and that a copy of these resolutions be certified by the clerk to the 
widow of the deceased. All of which is respectfully submitted.

Oren GIBSON, Chairman.

[Source: "History of Grundy County, Illinois", Chicago: O. L. Baskin & Co., 
Historical Publishers, Lake Side Building, 1882]

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