THOMAS, Chauncey

THOMAS, PALMER, MCINTOSH, SHERF, GRELL

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 5/22/2014 at 01:36:59

AGED PIONEER LAID TO REST
CHAUNCEY THOMAS, ONE OF FOUNDERS OF VENTURS, SUCCUMBS AT 85

VENTURA, FEB. 19 – The funeral services for Chauncey Thomas, 85 years old, one of the pioneers of this vicinity and one of the men who knew this town when it was nothing more than a crossroads, was buried here Friday afternoon with military honors accorded him by the local American Legion post.

Mr. Thomas was a veteran of the Civil War, farmer and community builder who left his impress on Ventura and surrounding territory.

He was born in New York state but his family came west while the boy was five years old, settling in Sioux county, Wis. He lived there until in 1846 he came to Iowa, settling at the spot where now Ventura stands. Mr. Thomas built the first log cabin here and was influential in the town’s development ever since.

In Sept. 1862 Mr. Thomas enlisted in the Civil War with the Wisconsin volunteers. He served three years up to the end of the war. He was personally acquainted with Gen. U. S. Grant and voted for Abraham Lincoln.

In 1867 he married Miss Ella M. Palmer of Sumpter, Wis. Mrs. Thomas preceded him in death a few years ago. Eight Children were born to this union, two having died. The six living children are two sons, Henry and Roy Thomas of Ventura, and four daughters, Mrs. McIntosh of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. John Scherf and Mrs. Will Scherf of Clear Lake; Mrs. John Grell, south of Ventura.

Thirty-six years ago Mr. Thomas bought a farm south of the paving and west of the Schultz garage.

Mr. Thomas was active in the enthusiastic meeting of people in this vicinity in the little red school house when it was decided to build an elevator 35 years ago. This was built by Fish and Skene and became the Woodford-Wheeler elevator.

When the church was built at Ventura Mr. Thomas donated the lot for the parsonage and he and his son Henry built the parsonage.

His latest interest was his application to the war department for a cannon used in the World War. Mr. Thomas heard that the cannon would arrive soon, and the family expect to carry out his wishes and have it installed with proper ceremonies on the Ventura school grounds.

The body of the aged pioneer was laid to rest in the cemetery at Clear Lake beside his wife.