J. Wesley Thomas, son of Rev. Jonathan and Elizabeth Thomas, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, March 1, 1829, and died at his home in Hamilton, Indiana, Jun 24, 1902, aged 73 years, 8 months and 28 days.
He was one of a family of ten children, six boys and four girls. The father, mother and seven children preceded him to the spirit land. The father, Jonathan Thomas, was a pioneer missionary and was an active minister of the gospel for sixty years. Enoch, the elder brother, has been for many years and is now engaged in the active ministry at the age of seventy-six years and resides in Uniontown, Kansas. Fletcher, the only other living brother, is also a minister of the U. B. church and has been presiding elder for thirty-five years and now resides in North Manchester, Ind. His sister, Angeline Wagner, resides at the same place. The father of Wesley moved to Williams county, Ohio, near what is now called West Unity, and from thence moved to Steuben county, Indiana, near Richland Center.
The county was new and thinly settled. Educational advantages were very limited, and the deceased having a thirst for knowledge, after toiling all day in felling the forest, would by the light of lard lamps or the light of the fire, pursue his studies until the midnight hour. In his sixteenth year he taught his first school. At about the age of seventeen he entered college, and having but limited means, he paid his board by splitting rails nights and mornings, thus energetically working his way through college with high honors.
About this time he became a subject of divine grace, and soon felt strongly impressed with a call to the ministry, but owing to the hardships through which his father and mother, brothers and sisters had been called to pass in their early pioneer life, he disobeyed the call and resolved to go to California in search of gold, in which search he braved many dangers, but with a good degree of success. After an absence of nine years he returned to the society of his friends, intending to return to California, but owing to the earnest solicitation of his many friends he abandoned his purpose, and on September 3, 1860, was united in marriage to Miss Julia Benedict, of the vicinity of Orland.
To this union was born one daughter, but soon death came to his happy home and those he dearly loved were removed from his embrace to the spirit land, leaving him lonely and sad.
He then with his youngest sister, Henrietta, entered Hillsdale college, where he soon became a teacher, and was by Prof. Whipple declared to be one of the best grammarians in the state of Michigan.
After severing his connection with the college he purchased a farm near Richland Center in this county, and on May 3, 1865, he was joined in marriage to Miss Phebe Everhart, to which union was born four children, the oldest a daughter, Zoe, now Mrs. Charles M. Brown, resides at Auburn. Three sons, Thad W., at Summit; Frank P., at Ashley and Jonathan P. at Auburn, all of whom were present with a sorrowing mother to mingle their tears caused by the death of an affectionate husband and loving father.
Mr. Thomas sold his farm and engaged in mercantile business in Metz. In a few years he moved to Edon, Ohio, where he continued in business for a number of years and then moved to Hamilton, where he still continued in his mercantile pursuits for about fifteen years, since which time he has lived a retired life. He has served as justice of the peace for a number of years. In early life he united with the I. O. O. F., and has been an active member over fifty years, being the oldest Odd Fellow in the county. He has filled all the offices of honor in this society and was high priest in the Encampment at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Masonic order, remaining such until his death, also belonged to the Sons of Temperance. All of the members of these organizations have lost a good counselor and a true friend.
In his business life he was strictly conscientious and honest. His intelligence, coupled with strong convictions of honor, qualified him to fill any position of trust. He was a member of the M. E. church, had his own religious convictions and acted accordingly without regard to what others thought. He loved, sacrificed and toiled for the church or his choice, at the same time recognized and loved the people of God in sister denominations. While he had his faults, the life he lived, the spirit he breathed was a witness of the power of Christ to save. He was sound in faith, believing that no individual or human system could answer as a substitute for the blood of Jesus.
In his death the beloved wife has lost a loving and dutiful husband, the children a kind father, the church a useful member, the community a patriotic citizen, but thank heaven we do not mourn as those having no hope. Death found him ready. He is now free from sorrow and pain and is at home at rest.
The funeral was preached by his pastor, Rev. N. Paul Barton, and he was laid to rest in the Hamilton cemetery. The text was Hebrews, 11:14, "He being dead, he speaketh."
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, July 2, 1902,
p. 1, cols. 6 & 7.
________________________________________________________
At about nine o'clock Tuesday morning our little town was greatly shocked by the announcement of the death of our old and highly respected friend, J. W. Thomas, of heart failure, in his garden near the home of Clyde Sharp. He had left the house in the morning for the garden where he had expected to work and was first noticed by Elsie Sharp to be in a position which attracted unusual attention, and hastening to him, he was found sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, June 25, 1902,
p. 8, col. 1.
He was one of a family of ten children, six boys and four girls. The father, mother and seven children preceded him to the spirit land. The father, Jonathan Thomas, was a pioneer missionary and was an active minister of the gospel for sixty years. Enoch, the elder brother, has been for many years and is now engaged in the active ministry at the age of seventy-six years and resides in Uniontown, Kansas. Fletcher, the only other living brother, is also a minister of the U. B. church and has been presiding elder for thirty-five years and now resides in North Manchester, Ind. His sister, Angeline Wagner, resides at the same place. The father of Wesley moved to Williams county, Ohio, near what is now called West Unity, and from thence moved to Steuben county, Indiana, near Richland Center.
The county was new and thinly settled. Educational advantages were very limited, and the deceased having a thirst for knowledge, after toiling all day in felling the forest, would by the light of lard lamps or the light of the fire, pursue his studies until the midnight hour. In his sixteenth year he taught his first school. At about the age of seventeen he entered college, and having but limited means, he paid his board by splitting rails nights and mornings, thus energetically working his way through college with high honors.
About this time he became a subject of divine grace, and soon felt strongly impressed with a call to the ministry, but owing to the hardships through which his father and mother, brothers and sisters had been called to pass in their early pioneer life, he disobeyed the call and resolved to go to California in search of gold, in which search he braved many dangers, but with a good degree of success. After an absence of nine years he returned to the society of his friends, intending to return to California, but owing to the earnest solicitation of his many friends he abandoned his purpose, and on September 3, 1860, was united in marriage to Miss Julia Benedict, of the vicinity of Orland.
To this union was born one daughter, but soon death came to his happy home and those he dearly loved were removed from his embrace to the spirit land, leaving him lonely and sad.
He then with his youngest sister, Henrietta, entered Hillsdale college, where he soon became a teacher, and was by Prof. Whipple declared to be one of the best grammarians in the state of Michigan.
After severing his connection with the college he purchased a farm near Richland Center in this county, and on May 3, 1865, he was joined in marriage to Miss Phebe Everhart, to which union was born four children, the oldest a daughter, Zoe, now Mrs. Charles M. Brown, resides at Auburn. Three sons, Thad W., at Summit; Frank P., at Ashley and Jonathan P. at Auburn, all of whom were present with a sorrowing mother to mingle their tears caused by the death of an affectionate husband and loving father.
Mr. Thomas sold his farm and engaged in mercantile business in Metz. In a few years he moved to Edon, Ohio, where he continued in business for a number of years and then moved to Hamilton, where he still continued in his mercantile pursuits for about fifteen years, since which time he has lived a retired life. He has served as justice of the peace for a number of years. In early life he united with the I. O. O. F., and has been an active member over fifty years, being the oldest Odd Fellow in the county. He has filled all the offices of honor in this society and was high priest in the Encampment at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Masonic order, remaining such until his death, also belonged to the Sons of Temperance. All of the members of these organizations have lost a good counselor and a true friend.
In his business life he was strictly conscientious and honest. His intelligence, coupled with strong convictions of honor, qualified him to fill any position of trust. He was a member of the M. E. church, had his own religious convictions and acted accordingly without regard to what others thought. He loved, sacrificed and toiled for the church or his choice, at the same time recognized and loved the people of God in sister denominations. While he had his faults, the life he lived, the spirit he breathed was a witness of the power of Christ to save. He was sound in faith, believing that no individual or human system could answer as a substitute for the blood of Jesus.
In his death the beloved wife has lost a loving and dutiful husband, the children a kind father, the church a useful member, the community a patriotic citizen, but thank heaven we do not mourn as those having no hope. Death found him ready. He is now free from sorrow and pain and is at home at rest.
The funeral was preached by his pastor, Rev. N. Paul Barton, and he was laid to rest in the Hamilton cemetery. The text was Hebrews, 11:14, "He being dead, he speaketh."
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, July 2, 1902,
p. 1, cols. 6 & 7.
________________________________________________________
At about nine o'clock Tuesday morning our little town was greatly shocked by the announcement of the death of our old and highly respected friend, J. W. Thomas, of heart failure, in his garden near the home of Clyde Sharp. He had left the house in the morning for the garden where he had expected to work and was first noticed by Elsie Sharp to be in a position which attracted unusual attention, and hastening to him, he was found sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, June 25, 1902,
p. 8, col. 1.
J. Wesley Thomas, son of Rev. Jonathan and Elizabeth Thomas, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, March 1, 1829, and died at his home in Hamilton, Indiana, Jun 24, 1902, aged 73 years, 8 months and 28 days.
He was one of a family of ten children, six boys and four girls. The father, mother and seven children preceded him to the spirit land. The father, Jonathan Thomas, was a pioneer missionary and was an active minister of the gospel for sixty years. Enoch, the elder brother, has been for many years and is now engaged in the active ministry at the age of seventy-six years and resides in Uniontown, Kansas. Fletcher, the only other living brother, is also a minister of the U. B. church and has been presiding elder for thirty-five years and now resides in North Manchester, Ind. His sister, Angeline Wagner, resides at the same place. The father of Wesley moved to Williams county, Ohio, near what is now called West Unity, and from thence moved to Steuben county, Indiana, near Richland Center.
The county was new and thinly settled. Educational advantages were very limited, and the deceased having a thirst for knowledge, after toiling all day in felling the forest, would by the light of lard lamps or the light of the fire, pursue his studies until the midnight hour. In his sixteenth year he taught his first school. At about the age of seventeen he entered college, and having but limited means, he paid his board by splitting rails nights and mornings, thus energetically working his way through college with high honors.
About this time he became a subject of divine grace, and soon felt strongly impressed with a call to the ministry, but owing to the hardships through which his father and mother, brothers and sisters had been called to pass in their early pioneer life, he disobeyed the call and resolved to go to California in search of gold, in which search he braved many dangers, but with a good degree of success. After an absence of nine years he returned to the society of his friends, intending to return to California, but owing to the earnest solicitation of his many friends he abandoned his purpose, and on September 3, 1860, was united in marriage to Miss Julia Benedict, of the vicinity of Orland.
To this union was born one daughter, but soon death came to his happy home and those he dearly loved were removed from his embrace to the spirit land, leaving him lonely and sad.
He then with his youngest sister, Henrietta, entered Hillsdale college, where he soon became a teacher, and was by Prof. Whipple declared to be one of the best grammarians in the state of Michigan.
After severing his connection with the college he purchased a farm near Richland Center in this county, and on May 3, 1865, he was joined in marriage to Miss Phebe Everhart, to which union was born four children, the oldest a daughter, Zoe, now Mrs. Charles M. Brown, resides at Auburn. Three sons, Thad W., at Summit; Frank P., at Ashley and Jonathan P. at Auburn, all of whom were present with a sorrowing mother to mingle their tears caused by the death of an affectionate husband and loving father.
Mr. Thomas sold his farm and engaged in mercantile business in Metz. In a few years he moved to Edon, Ohio, where he continued in business for a number of years and then moved to Hamilton, where he still continued in his mercantile pursuits for about fifteen years, since which time he has lived a retired life. He has served as justice of the peace for a number of years. In early life he united with the I. O. O. F., and has been an active member over fifty years, being the oldest Odd Fellow in the county. He has filled all the offices of honor in this society and was high priest in the Encampment at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Masonic order, remaining such until his death, also belonged to the Sons of Temperance. All of the members of these organizations have lost a good counselor and a true friend.
In his business life he was strictly conscientious and honest. His intelligence, coupled with strong convictions of honor, qualified him to fill any position of trust. He was a member of the M. E. church, had his own religious convictions and acted accordingly without regard to what others thought. He loved, sacrificed and toiled for the church or his choice, at the same time recognized and loved the people of God in sister denominations. While he had his faults, the life he lived, the spirit he breathed was a witness of the power of Christ to save. He was sound in faith, believing that no individual or human system could answer as a substitute for the blood of Jesus.
In his death the beloved wife has lost a loving and dutiful husband, the children a kind father, the church a useful member, the community a patriotic citizen, but thank heaven we do not mourn as those having no hope. Death found him ready. He is now free from sorrow and pain and is at home at rest.
The funeral was preached by his pastor, Rev. N. Paul Barton, and he was laid to rest in the Hamilton cemetery. The text was Hebrews, 11:14, "He being dead, he speaketh."
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, July 2, 1902,
p. 1, cols. 6 & 7.
________________________________________________________
At about nine o'clock Tuesday morning our little town was greatly shocked by the announcement of the death of our old and highly respected friend, J. W. Thomas, of heart failure, in his garden near the home of Clyde Sharp. He had left the house in the morning for the garden where he had expected to work and was first noticed by Elsie Sharp to be in a position which attracted unusual attention, and hastening to him, he was found sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, June 25, 1902,
p. 8, col. 1.
He was one of a family of ten children, six boys and four girls. The father, mother and seven children preceded him to the spirit land. The father, Jonathan Thomas, was a pioneer missionary and was an active minister of the gospel for sixty years. Enoch, the elder brother, has been for many years and is now engaged in the active ministry at the age of seventy-six years and resides in Uniontown, Kansas. Fletcher, the only other living brother, is also a minister of the U. B. church and has been presiding elder for thirty-five years and now resides in North Manchester, Ind. His sister, Angeline Wagner, resides at the same place. The father of Wesley moved to Williams county, Ohio, near what is now called West Unity, and from thence moved to Steuben county, Indiana, near Richland Center.
The county was new and thinly settled. Educational advantages were very limited, and the deceased having a thirst for knowledge, after toiling all day in felling the forest, would by the light of lard lamps or the light of the fire, pursue his studies until the midnight hour. In his sixteenth year he taught his first school. At about the age of seventeen he entered college, and having but limited means, he paid his board by splitting rails nights and mornings, thus energetically working his way through college with high honors.
About this time he became a subject of divine grace, and soon felt strongly impressed with a call to the ministry, but owing to the hardships through which his father and mother, brothers and sisters had been called to pass in their early pioneer life, he disobeyed the call and resolved to go to California in search of gold, in which search he braved many dangers, but with a good degree of success. After an absence of nine years he returned to the society of his friends, intending to return to California, but owing to the earnest solicitation of his many friends he abandoned his purpose, and on September 3, 1860, was united in marriage to Miss Julia Benedict, of the vicinity of Orland.
To this union was born one daughter, but soon death came to his happy home and those he dearly loved were removed from his embrace to the spirit land, leaving him lonely and sad.
He then with his youngest sister, Henrietta, entered Hillsdale college, where he soon became a teacher, and was by Prof. Whipple declared to be one of the best grammarians in the state of Michigan.
After severing his connection with the college he purchased a farm near Richland Center in this county, and on May 3, 1865, he was joined in marriage to Miss Phebe Everhart, to which union was born four children, the oldest a daughter, Zoe, now Mrs. Charles M. Brown, resides at Auburn. Three sons, Thad W., at Summit; Frank P., at Ashley and Jonathan P. at Auburn, all of whom were present with a sorrowing mother to mingle their tears caused by the death of an affectionate husband and loving father.
Mr. Thomas sold his farm and engaged in mercantile business in Metz. In a few years he moved to Edon, Ohio, where he continued in business for a number of years and then moved to Hamilton, where he still continued in his mercantile pursuits for about fifteen years, since which time he has lived a retired life. He has served as justice of the peace for a number of years. In early life he united with the I. O. O. F., and has been an active member over fifty years, being the oldest Odd Fellow in the county. He has filled all the offices of honor in this society and was high priest in the Encampment at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Masonic order, remaining such until his death, also belonged to the Sons of Temperance. All of the members of these organizations have lost a good counselor and a true friend.
In his business life he was strictly conscientious and honest. His intelligence, coupled with strong convictions of honor, qualified him to fill any position of trust. He was a member of the M. E. church, had his own religious convictions and acted accordingly without regard to what others thought. He loved, sacrificed and toiled for the church or his choice, at the same time recognized and loved the people of God in sister denominations. While he had his faults, the life he lived, the spirit he breathed was a witness of the power of Christ to save. He was sound in faith, believing that no individual or human system could answer as a substitute for the blood of Jesus.
In his death the beloved wife has lost a loving and dutiful husband, the children a kind father, the church a useful member, the community a patriotic citizen, but thank heaven we do not mourn as those having no hope. Death found him ready. He is now free from sorrow and pain and is at home at rest.
The funeral was preached by his pastor, Rev. N. Paul Barton, and he was laid to rest in the Hamilton cemetery. The text was Hebrews, 11:14, "He being dead, he speaketh."
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, July 2, 1902,
p. 1, cols. 6 & 7.
________________________________________________________
At about nine o'clock Tuesday morning our little town was greatly shocked by the announcement of the death of our old and highly respected friend, J. W. Thomas, of heart failure, in his garden near the home of Clyde Sharp. He had left the house in the morning for the garden where he had expected to work and was first noticed by Elsie Sharp to be in a position which attracted unusual attention, and hastening to him, he was found sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.
STEUBEN REPUBLICAN
Wednesday, June 25, 1902,
p. 8, col. 1.
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