Tuscola-Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Thomas, Jacob 1795 - 
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Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JACOB THOMAS. The gentleman whose name appears above does not lack many years of
being a centenarian, and as such, were it not for numerous other considerations
that command the respect and honor of his fellow-citizens, he would be greatly
venerated. He is a native of New Hampshire and was born May 29, 1795. He is a
son of Jacob Thomas, also a native of New Hampshire, who lived in his native
State until an old man, when he went to New York and made his home with his
daughter, a Mrs. Morse, and there died. He was married to Miss Ruth Perkins, a
native of New Hampshire, and to them were born five sons and five daughters. He
was a farmer by calling and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He took pride in
being a loyal private citizen, who helped to make the laws by abiding by them.
Our subject's grandsire was Jonathan Thomas, who lived and died in New Hampshire.

  Our subject was reared on the home place and at the age of sixteen enlisted in
the War of 1812, and was discharged after a service of eighteen months. He made
himself a favorite with his commanding officer and still has in his possession a
letter of recommendation. He draws a pension from the War of 1812 and is one of
the three soldiers of that war now surviving in Michigan, and he was at the
treaty when nine thousand Indians surrendered to Gen. Harrison at Greenville,
Ind., in 1815.

  When a young man our subject removed to New York and was there married to Miss
Polly Brown, a native of Connecticut. They became the parents of three children.
One of these died at the age of eighteen months. The eldest son, Matthew P.,
married Deborah A. Aikins, a daughter of Benjamin Aikins, a native of
Connecticut, and became the father of three children. Matthew P. died in 1866 in
Millington. He was always a farmer and was the father of two sons and one
daughter, all of whom are now living. The sons are married and the daughter
lives at home with her mother. Matthew A. married Alice Copeland-he now lives in
California; Egbert M. married Fannie Doane and lives in Nebraska, near Staunton,
where he is operating a large ranch.

  Mr. Thomas came to Michigan in 1836 and settled in Genesee County on a farm
that he bought from the Government. He then owned one hundred and sixty acres
and later added forty acres. He came to Tuscola County in 1861 and has since
been here a resident. He purchased seventy-two acres and at the present time
owns fifty-three acres, having sold the remainder to the village, and the tract
is known as the Thomas Addition. Our subject was bereft of his wife September 9,
1830. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for sixty-five years
has been so associated. He has always taken an active interest in Church work
and was for sixteen years a Class-Leader and Steward. He has often walked five
miles in order to hold prayer meeting and was faithful to the work for nine
years. Our subject was originally a Whig, but since the organization of the
Republican party has cast his political lines with it.

  Personally Mr. Thomas is surprisingly vigorous for his years. He has always
been a temperate man and his morals have been above reproach. He used tobacco
from the time he was sixteen years of age until seventy-one years old, and
ceasing to use the weed at that time, is now not so nervous at ninety-six as he
was at seventy-one. We sincerely hope that Mr. Thomas will be spared to enjoy in
health and mental vigor the celebration of his one hundredth birthday.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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