OBIT: Eclaris THOMAS, 1888, native of Huntingdon County, PA

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Death of Eclaris Thomas.

  Our old-time friend and former fellow townsman, Mr. Eclaris Thomas, 
died at his residence, in Altoona, on Tuesday night of last week, aged 
about 80 years.  Mr. Thomas was born and raised in Huntingdon, and for 
a number of years followed painting and paper hanging, but during the 
latter years of his residence here conducted a bakery and confectionery 
in a frame building which stood on the north-western corner of the 
Diamond, on the ground now occupied by what is known as "Mobus' hall."  
In 1871 he removed to Altoona and obtained employment in the lower 
freight shop of the P.R.R. Company.  During the latter part of June 
last he was compelled to quit work in consequence of a severe illness 
from a heavy cold, which developed into typhoid-pneumonia, and since 
August he was unable to leave his room.  
  For a period of sixty years Mr. Thomas was a faithful, consistent and 
active member of the Methodist church, always ready and willing to 
labor in the cause of the Master.  In March, 1844, he was married to 
Miss Sarah Hutchinson, of Henderson township, this county.  Besides his 
aged and sorrowing widow he leaves one son and one daughter, E. 
Wilkinson Thomas, of Asbury Park, N.J., and Mrs. Letitia O'Donnell, of 
Newark, N.J.  One son, J. Luden, was robbed and murdered in Mexico, 
some four years ago, while employed as a ticket agent and operator on 
one of the railroads in that country.  Two children died in infancy.
  Mr. Thomas was highly respected by all who knew him, and those of our 
older citizens who enjoyed his acquaintance and prized his friendship, 
will be sorry to learn of his death, although he had outlived the 
allotted three score and ten years.  He was a good man, and having 
lived the life of a Christian has gone to enjoy the Christian's reward.
  His remains arrived here on Day Express, Saturday afternoon, and were 
taken to the First M. E. church, where appropriate and impressive 
services were held.  Remarks were made by Rev. J. B. Shaver, pastor of 
the First M. E. church, Altoona, of which the deceased was a member, 
and Rev. James Curns, pastor of the church of this city.  The weather 
was very inclement, but nevertheless a large number of friends and 
relatives followed the remains to their final resting place in the City 
of the Silent.

The Huntingdon Journal, Huntingdon, Pa., Friday, February 10, 1888