Obituary - Thomas Thomas Sr., Grant Co., WI

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Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by David W. Taft, July 2002, dtaft@cowtown.net

Lancaster Wisconsin Teller
1886

After a brief sickness, Mr. Thomas Thomas, Sr., one of the oldest residents of 
Grant Co. passed from the affairs of time to the rest of eternal sleep January 23, 1886. 
He was a native of England and of Welsh parentage. Was born May 26, 1808, thus at 
the time of his death was about 78 years of age. He came to America when 22 years 
old, stopping a few years in the Pennsylvania coal mines at Pottsville. Then early in the 
30's came west, first to Galena, thence to Wisconsin and to the farm that was his home 
for 50 years near Preston, Grant Co. His was a checkered life and those events would 
make an interesting chapter in history. He received a liberal education for his time and 
circumstances and while he lived i obscurity he was an original thinker and a man of 
clean cut ideas and opinions. Although an Englishman by birth and ardently attached to 
his brother Welshmen he was devotedly allied to the institutions of his adopted country.

He was Methodistic in his religion and thoroughly versed in Biblical lore. He was 
very liberal in his religious opinions. Being a Republican in politics, he was unbounded in 
his devotion to the Union; and in the War of the Rebellion gave three sons to the cause 
of his country. Tanner and Lewis were in the 7th Wisconsin Infantry of the famous Iron 
Brigade. Tanner, a Lieutenant, fell in the charge at Petersburg, Virginia. Abner led a 
company in Tennessee under the command of General Washburn. He was the father of 
10 children, 9 of which were born on the old farm. Several of the family obtained good 
educations. Thomas, Jr., is an extensive farmer near the old homestead and is an 
original and self made man much after the style of his Senior save that he in the religion 
a Freethinker and an eloquent and careful speaker. Abner is a prominent politician in his 
adopted state, Missouri.

Mr. Thomas was justly proud of his family and never wearied of telling of his and 
their achievements. He was a man of the most generous impulses and never refused a 
favor sought if he could possibly grant it. There are but few men of his time and set left 
to tell the tale of early pioneer life and its privatations, adventures with Indians and 
their participation. All of this age are greatly indebted to those men of iron frame and 
unyielding energy.

And when one of those ancient oaks fall the forest echoes the thrilling history of 
their lives down the flying years of half or three quarters of a century to remind us of 
what our present high and happy civilization cost.