Sarah Thomas 1835-1916

THOMAS, LITTLE, HARRISON, DEXTER, MILLER, STEPHENS

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

6 March 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser
DEATH OF MRS. THOMAS (Communicated)

One by one of the early pioneers of the county are crossing the silent river never more to return. But the impress of their lives and the strong convictions of their moral worth are never lost, but ever left among those who knew them. The solemn event brings to all the surety of death and the brighter world beyond.

Mrs. Sarah Ellen Thomas has gone to her reward leaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn her death. Surrounded by her children she died at seven-forty-five o'clock Saturday evening in the old home she so loved on the Bluff road southwest of the city.

Mrs. Thomas has been in ill-health for a year, but never in that time did she loose interest in private or public life. Being always alert, and a great reader, she got much out of her later years.

Sarah Ellen Little was born October 4th, 1835 in Clones county, Termanah, province of Ulster, Ireland. She came to America in 1857 and on Feb. 24, 1858 was married near Camanche to Chas. Thomas, immediately settling on the farm where she has lived ever since.

Mr. Thomas passed away April 7, 1903. To this couple were born six children, Frank L. Thomas, Mrs. H. W. Harrison, Mrs. H. R. Dexter of Clinton, Mrs. Chas. P. Miller of Chicago and Ben Thomas and Mrs. E. H. Stephens at home.

Mrs. Thomas was a great story teller, and the tales of her childhood home in Ireland and of her early years when Clinton was young, always held her hearers in wrapt attention.

She loved to see Clinton grow from a village of two hundred to its present state. She formed one of the links that joined the past with these strenuous times and the tales of interest as related by these early settlers will soon be heard of only in history or remain legend. Mrs. Thomas was possessed of sterling traits. Honest, upright, firm in her convictions of right and wrong, hospitable and ever ready to help in time of need. Her love of home and for those who were near and dear to her was very marked.

In early youth she united with her home church of Wesleyn faith and through all the years since she has done the best she could.

She was mother in the sense of having the love that gave all and asked naught in return.

Funeral services will be held from the home Tuesday, March 7, at 2 o'clock with burial in the family lot in Rosehill cemetery, Camanche.

Friends please omit flowers.