Mabel (Wells) Thomas (1847-1937)

WELLS, THOMAS, CONRAD, CROOKS, RAY, HINZ, KNUDSON, PIERSON

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Pioneer Woman Laid To Rest
Death Closes Ninety Years of Life For Mrs. Wheeler Thomas.

Death claimed Mrs. Wheeler Thomas, one of the earliest settlers of O'Brien county, last week after a period of ten years of ill health. Mrs. Thomas came to the county with her husband in 1872 and together they took a homestead in Center township. Their nearest neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brown.

In those early days of pioneer life Mrs. Thomas was known among her neighbors as helful and kind and ever thoughtful of others. During the years of invalidism she was busy with her hands and within the past five years pieced eight quilts for her great-grandchildren. In spite of years of ill health she was known as one of the most happy and cheerful of invalids. For three years she has been bedfast and during all her illness has been devotedly and tenderly cared for by her daughters, Mrs. Sarah Ray and Mrs. Frank Hinz.

Mabel Wells was born May 25, 1847, in Steuben county, New York. While still quite young she moved with her parents to Allen's Grove, Wis., where she grew to young womanhood. In May, 1869, she married Wheeler Thomas and came with him in 1872 to O'Brien county, and settled on a homestead in Center township, where they remained for 3 years. In 1895 they moved to the town of Primghar, and lived in their own home until 1912, when Mr. Thomas passed away.

Of the seven children that came to the home, three preceded her in death, Mrs. Allen Conrad, Mrs. B. O. Crooks and Ernest Wheeler, who died in infancy.

Four daughters, Mrs. Sarah Ray and Mrs. Frank Hinz of Primghar, and Mrs. Lucretla Knudson and Mrs. Jessie Pierson of Sioux City, are left to mourn the loss of a loving mother, who gave herself unstintingly, not only to the physical care of her children, but also to the intellectual and spiritual training of those committed to her keeping.

The release of her spirit came Tuesday morning shortly after 9 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank Hinz. She was ninety years old. Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church with Rev. F. F. Robinson in charge. With tender memories' of childhood, her grandchildren bore her body to its final resting place.

O'Brien County Bell, 6 Oct 1937, pp1,10