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			WILLIAM M. AND JULIA A. (STEWART) THOMAS

	William M. Thomas was born June 3, 1835, in Cardiganshire, South Wales, where his 
ancestors has resided for many generations tilling the soil and wishing for no other home, no 
better county.  In his native town Mr. Thomas grew to manhood, receiving a good common-school 
education.  He learned the shoemaker's trade, but has only followed it at intervals.  In 1857, in
company with a party of his countrymen, he embarked at Liverpool on a sailing vessel for Quebec, 
Canada, where they arrived after a passage of twenty-four days.  From Canada he went to 
Youngstown, Mahoning Co., Ohio, where he had friends.  He soon engaged in the boot-and-shoe 
business, which he followed six years; then he sold out and for a time was in the produce 
business.  In 1867 he sold out his entire interests in Ohio, and came to Montcalm Co., Mich.  He 
had a family of children growing up, and it was in their interest that he came to Michigan.  He
purchased twenty acres of land on section 4, and in a building which he bought commenced in a 
small way business in the general merchandise line.  His pay was largely in shingles, which he 
had to dispose of in Muir and Ionia.  In 1874, Mr. Thomas bought two hundred and forty acres of 
fine land in Bushnell and Evergreen townships, and on it built the mill known as "Thomas' Mill," 
in which he has since been engaged in the manufacture of lumber, which, with the shingle 
business, has taken his entire attention.
	As soon as he became a citizen of this country he allied himself with the Republican 
party, their principles being in perfect accord with his own.  He at once took an active part in
politics, and soon became a leader in Bushnell as well as in the county.  He has been clerk of 
his township three times, and has held other offices.  In the fall of 1880 he was nominated by 
his party for the office of county treasurer, and, though his opponent was on the side of both 
Democratic and Greenback parties, he was elected by a good majority,--receiving in his own 
township two-thirds of all the votes.  Mr. Thomas took possession of the office on the 1st of 
January, and will administer its duties in the thorough, capable manner which has marked all his 
business undertakings.
	On the 30th day of November, 1858, he was married to Miss Julia A. Stewart, who was born 
in Ludlow, Vt., Nov. 30, 1835; she is the daughter of Stephen and Hannah (Sargent) Stewart.  
There have been born to them the following children,--viz., Ormond A., Nov 5, 1859; Myron I., 
Aug. 3, 1861; Mary L., Dec. 25, 1862; Willis R., Nov. 16, 1865; Gilbert L., Jan. 30, 1870; Jay
B., Oct. 10, 1871; and Lelia A., July 22, 1873.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Page 413, Bushnell Twp.