John Jones Thomas, rancher, farmer, and stock raiser, was born January 10, 1852, in Salt Lake City. While still an infant, he came to Lehi with his parents, Daniel Stillwell and Martha Paine Jones Thomas. He was the youngest of eleven children.

He was educated in the early schools of Lehi and was always a great reader, possessing complete works of many great American writers.

Mr. Thomas was keenly interested in community life and activities. He was public minded and could be depended on for assistance in all community projects. For many years, Independence Day and Pioneer Day celebrations were held at his invitation under the numerous large trees surrounding the Thomas home. He glorified in being marshal of the day. He held such public offices as County Commissioner of Juab County, deputy sheriff, and precinct justice of the peace.

Mr. Thomas owned and managed a large ranch at Fish Springs. He controlled all the water holes and springs for a radius of forty miles in all directions. He was respected by the men who worked for him as well as by everyone else. Fish Springs was conveniently located on the old overland route, and the Thomas ranch was of necessity a chief stopping place for travelers crossing the continent. Nestled at the base of the Thomas Range (mountains named in his honor), the rambling ranch house was a welcome sight to the fifteen thousand motorists who traveled the Lincoln Highway in 1915 en route to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. His ever widening circle of friends returned time and again to rest and enjoy western hospitality. These friends included such celebrities as Theodore Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan, and Mark Twain.

Mr. Thomas was the owner of many blooded race horses. His children have fond memories of such racers as "Silver Tip," "Red Bird," "Trinket," and "Boston."

Undoubtedly, his most outstanding characteristic was his unending generosity. This thoughtfulness and consideration for others endeared him to many. He was indeed generous to a fault, remembering the widows and orphaned children. On his return from business trips to the East, he was greeted by his own children and all their playmates with eager anticipation; they knew that he always had gifts tucked away for them.

He married Myra Amanda Clark, who was the daughter of David and Myra Williams Clark, early pioneers of Lehi.

Mr. Thomas died April 17, 1917.

Lehi Centennial History 1850-1950, pp. 891-893