James Thomas

ABRAHAMS, THOMAS, WHITWORTH

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 14:40:52

James Thomas, a farmer who has an enviable reputation for progressiveness and energy, was born upon the place in Grand River township which he now owns, on the 25th of May, 1871, of the marriage of John and Polly (Abrahams) Thomas. The father was born' in Preble county, Ohio, in 1823, and the mother in Guernsey county, that state, on the 16th of March, 1832. John Thomas, who was a farmer and shoemaker by occupation, emigrated to Indiana in 1837 and resided there until the fall of 1854, when he came to Grand River township, this county, where his marriage occurred. He built a log cabin, in which he and his family lived in true pioneer fashion. Especially during the years of 1855 and 1856 there were many privations to be endured on account of the hard times, but Mr. Thomas did not give up the struggle and at length reaped the reward of his labors and courage, gaining gratifying material prosperity. In addition to breaking his land, which he had entered from the government, and improving his farm, he made the shoes not only for his family but for his neighbors as well. At first there were but four or five families in the township and the sense of isolation was added to the other hardships of the early settlers. His wife was a true helpmate and did many things that the women of the present day are not called upon to perform owing to changed conditions. She cared for all the wants of her household and among her other duties made all of the clothes for the family, which was no small task, as there were seven children, Anna C., William A., Sarah E., Amanda J., Mary E., Stephen and James. The father died in Grand River township on the 20th of July, 1892, but the mother survived until the 11th of March, 1904.

James Thomas attended the district schools and the high school at Macksburg. Following the death of his father he assumed charge of the operation of the homestead and resided with his mother until her death. He has continued to operate the home farm until the present time and now owns two hundred and forty acres of splendid land, being a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He feeds many head of cattle and hogs annually for commercial purposes only, specializing in Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle.

In 1904 Mr. Thomas married Miss Eva Whitworth, likewise a native of this county and a daughter of Thomas and Hulda (Johnson) Whitworth. Her father, who was born in Cambridgeshire, England, the 2d of October, 1837, came to the United States on the 21st of May, 1852, and settled in Medina county, Ohio. After leaving the Buckeye state he resided for a time in Bureau county, Illinois, but on the 3d of July, 1867, he arrived in Madison county, Iowa, and remained a resident here for thirty-three years. He died at Macksburg of injuries inflicted by an explosion at the fire in Townsend's store on the 21st of January, 1899. His wife was born in Ohio county, Indiana, on the 20th of February, 1843, and in 1856 accompanied her parents to Iowa. She passed away on the 23d of November, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children: Hazel, born March 31, 1905; and Dale, born on the 2ist of February, 1909.

Mr. Thomas votes with the democratic party and is now serving as township trustee. He has also been trustee and deacon of the Baptist church, of which he is a consistent member, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows finds in him a loyal adherent. He is faithful to every trust reposed in him and holds friendship inviolable, while as a citizen he places the public good above his private interests.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.