RAINS, Thomas

RAINS, MARTIN, ADKINS, WOODARD, REDMAN, HIGDON, TONEY, MAYNARD, BROUGHTON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/13/2014 at 01:09:53

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 318-20. Chicago. 1915.

THOMAS RAINS

For many years Thomas Rains was engaged in stock-raising in New Buda township and was well known and highly esteemed throughout the county. His birth occurred in Whitley county, Kentucky, September 3, 1846, and his parents were William and Christina (Martin) Rains, both natives of Kentucky. The father, who was by occupation a farmer and who removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, with his family when our subject was but nine years of age, died in Andrew county, Missouri, in 1855 and his wife passed away in Fremont county, Iowa, in 1867.

Thomas Rains attended the district schools in Missouri and enlisted at St. Joseph in Company C, Seventh Kansas Voluteer Cavalry. He saw a great deal of active service, taking part in several engagements and remaining with his command until the close of the war. He was almost constantly on horseback for some time at the front and the continuous riding permanently injured his health. After peace was restored he worked for a time at Bethany, Missouri, after which he removed to Fremont county, Iowa, where he found employment as a farm hand. In 1872 his marriage occurred and not long afterward he removed to Decatur county, where he resided until his demise. On the 10th of March, 1888, he located on the farm on section 21, New Buda township, where his widow still lives. She was given one hundred and sixty acres by her father and Mr. Rains subsequently added two hundred acres to the tract. He bred Percheron horses and owned some fine stallions, including Kentucky Jack and Spanish Jack. He gained quite a reputation as a horse breeder and found a ready sale for his animals. He also raised good grade hogs and cattle, which likewise proved a profitable occupation. He passed away on the 30th of January, 1911.

On the 1st of December, 1872, Mr. Rains was married to Miss Mary Belle Adkins, a daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Martin) Adkins. The father was born in North Carolina of Turkish and American stock and in an early day in the history of this county settled here, locating on Grand river. For many years he resided in Harrison county, Missouri, and gained unusual success as a farmer, acquiring title to some twelve hundred acres of excellent land in Harrison and Mercer counties, Missouri, and Decatur County, Iowa. He raised the usual crops but gave a great deal of his attention to the breeding of stock. He passed away in New Buda township, this county. His wife was born in Kentucky of Irish descent and their marriage was celebrated in the Blue Grass state. She passed away December 23, 1889, upon the homestead in Harrison county. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom survive, namely: Mrs. Rains; and Mrs. Samantha Jane Woodard, of Clarinda, Iowa.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rains were born ten children, as follows: Rosa Belle, born November 7, 1873, who died when three years old; W. R., born December 11, 1875, a rancher of Oklahoma, who married Miss Pearl Redman; Myrtle, born October 27, 1877, who married Gory Higdon, a rancher of Oklahoma; Elizabeth, born August 19, 1879, who died when three months old; Dolly, who died at the age of fifteen months; Annie, who died at the age of ten months; Nora Minerva, whose birth occurred April 26, 1887, and is now the wife of L. C. Toney, a farmer living in Burrell township; Grover C, who was born August 18, 1888, who is farming the home place; Etta, born June 27, 1890, now the wife of Frank Maynard, a farmer of New Buda township; and Thomas, born June 23, 1892, who is farming in New Buda township and who married Miss Minnie Broughton. Mr. Rains was a democrat and for two terms served as constable in Missouri, while for a nmnber of years he was a school director in New Buda township. He was a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Davis City and thus kept in touch with his comrades of former years. Since his demise his widow has remained upon the homestead and her son Grover now has charge of the operation of the farm. Our subject gained the sincere friendship of many and all who came in contact with him in business or social relations found him a gentleman of the highest standards of honor and of pleasing personality. As a stock-raiser he was successful in a marked degree and contributed to the development of his county along that line.

NOTE: Thomas Rains was interred at Hamilton Cemetery, Pleasanton IA. Mary Belle (Adkins) Rains was born July 10, 1852, and died December 15, 1915. She was interred at Hamilton Cemetery.

Thomas M. Rains, son of Thomas and Mary Rains, died in 1947, interred at Hamilton Cemetery.

Also interred at Hamilton Cemetery are Mary's parents. Christopher Borden Adkins was born March 23, 1821, and died August 28, 1899. Elizabeth (Martin) Adkins was born June 9, 1816, and died December 23, 1889.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014

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Biography ~ Thomas Rains
Davis City, Iowa

Thomas Rains was born to William Rains and Christina Martin 3 September 1846 in Whitley County KY amd moved to Missouri in 1855. He married Mary Belle Adkins 1 December 1872. He died 30 January 1911 in Davis City Iowa. She died 15 December 1915. He bred Percheron horses. There is alot more about him but what I am looking for is did he have any sisters and brothers? No one seems to know. His wife did have siblings. They are both buried in the Hamilton Cemetery. My grandmother is Nora Rains Toney their daughter. Her obit was in the postings the other day. Thanks for any help that you might be able to give.
Marie Jones

From: Marie Owens Jones