Esther Hewitt Thomas AND Ethel Thomas

THOMAS, HEWITT, SCHMIDT

Posted By: Raven Thomas (email)
Date: 6/22/2005 at 23:21:01

Fayette, Dec 21 (1918)-- One of the sad happenings in our community was the passing, with but an interval of four days between them of Miss Ethel Thomas and her mother, Mrs Esther Thomas. Miss Ethel was taken sick on Thursday, Dec 5 and died the following Thursday, Dec 12, after a week's illness with pneumonia following the influenza. Her anxiety over the illness of her mother at the same time was an unfavorable element in her illnes. Miss Ethel I Thomas was born in Scottville, Kan., July 29, 1877. The family came to Fayette in 1890 and resided first on what was known as the Col. Brown farm south of town for two years. They have continued to reside in the vicinity of Fayette until the death of her father about three years ago, when they sold the farm west of town and she and her mother moved to town, buying a home on the corner of Mechanic and Water streets, where they have since made thier home. Funeral services were held from the home Sunday afternoon, Dec 15, conducted by Rev. D. M. Parker. The mother passed away on Monday evening, Dec 16. Esther A Hewitt was born April 25 1843, at Clear Creek, Chautauqua county, NY. She was united in marriage to Edgar A Thomas April 6 1870, after which they moved to Kansas where they lived nine years, then returned to New York for a period of eight years, and then in 1890 removed to Iowa, where they continued to reside in Fayette and vicinity. Six children were born to them, two of whome survive--Edwin Thomas and Mrs Edith Schmidt. Her early membership in the church had been with the Baptist denominatjion. Here in town it was with the United Brethren. The funeral services were held from the home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. D. M. Parker and burial was in the family lot in Grandview cemetery.

Fayette Newspaper Thursday, December 19, 1918. Front Page:
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DIE WITHIN FOUR DAYS
Ethel Thomas and Mrs Esther Thomas Are Summoned
The community has been deeply impressed by the passing so nearly together of Mrs Thomas and her daughter, there being but an interval of four days between them.
Ethel I Thomas was born at Scottsville, Kansas July 29 1877. The family came to Fayette in 1890, resideing first on what was so well known as the Col. Brown farm south of town for two years then on the J.B. Roger place across the road and their residence has been continuously in the vicinity of Fayette.
Miss Thomas was taken sick on the Thursday following Thanksgving and passed away on the following Thursday, Dec 12. after the illness of the one week with the prvailing influensza which developed into pneumonia of so violent a type that its malignancy was resistless.
The Sunday following the attack she felt better and Monday she sat up for a time. Tuesday, however, she was not so well, and then the disease ran to its fatal ternimation, notwithstanding the most attentive watching and care of her physician and friends.
The sickness of her mother at the same time added an unfavorable element to her mental if not physical condition by putting her under anxiety. Ethel had unselfishly served other stricken families in ther sickness and trouble, counting it her duty to go where people were in need, thinking not of danger to herself, thus she had ministered, among other places, in the home of the near neighbor, Marion Dennis and in that of Rev. D.M. Parkier, by whom the funeral services of both the mother and daughter were conducted. Those of the latter were held at the home Sunday afternoon. Music was rendered on both occasions by Mr and Mrs Henry Hettler and Mrs Cronk.
Esther A Hewitt was born April 25, 1843, at Clear Creek, Chautauqua County, New York, and died in Fayette the evening of Monday, Dec 16. She was married to Edgar A Thomas April 6, 1870, after which they moved to Kansas. After a residence there of nine years they returned to New York for a period of eight years and then came to Iowa. Six children were born to them. Two survive--Edwin Thomas and Mrs Edith Schmidt. Her home had been in town with her daughter who preceded her in death by four days. Her early membership in the church had been with the Baptist denomination. Here in Iowa it was with the United Brethren. She was buried from the home yesterday afternoon.