Polk County, Missouri Biographies - John A. THOMAS

History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties, 
Missouri; 1889, published by Goodspeed, Pgs. 703, 704

John A. Thomas, a prominent farmer of Marion Township, was born
in North Carolina May 17, 1821, and is the youngest of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, born to John and 
Elizabeth (West) Thomas, natives of North Carolina, where they 
were reared and married.  The parents remained in their native
State until about 1836, when they moved to East Tennessee, and
there spent the rest of their days, both living to a good old age.
He was a farmer by occupation, and was a very successful one; 
was a Whig in politics, and was a first-class citizen in every 
respect.  The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.  John A. Thomas spent his boyhood days on his father's
farm, and received no educational advantages, not even being able
to read or write.  After remaining with his mother until twenty-two
years of age, he began for himself by engaging in tilling the soil.
In 1843 he married Miss Mary Weese, a native of Roane County,
Tenn., and about a year younger than her husband.  About 1846
they moved to Fulton County, Ill., and the following year to Carroll
County, Ark., where they remained until 1862, when they came to 
Polk County, Mo., with his family.  In November, 1862, he enlisted
in Company K, First Arkansas Cavalry, U.S.A., and served until
August, 1865; was in the battle of Prairie Grove and many 
skirmishes.  While trying to remove his family from Carroll County,
Ark., he was surprised by a squad of bushwhackers, was shot
through the left arm, shattering the bone, and the are has always
given him trouble.  Had not some of his neighbors been in the 
squad, he would undoubtedly have been killed; as a compensation
He receives, a pension of eight dollars per month.  After the war 
Mr. Thomas joined his family in Polk County, and here he has since
remained.  After coming here he rented land for about seven years,
and since then has become the owner of 320 acres, but at present
has but 240 acres.  He has eight children: Martha, Hughey, Eliza,
William, Catherine, James, Mary and John.  Mr. Thomas has been
a hard working man all his life, and has accumulated considerable
property.  He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is
a Republican in his political views.
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