Lias, Thomas Wilson (1831-1907)

LIAS, MORSE, SMITH

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/9/2011 at 11:08:18

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
4-2-1907

DEATH OF PONEER RESIDENT.
T. W. Lias was one of the Earliest Settlers
in Plymouth County and was
Widely Known.

Akron Register Tribune: Died at
the family home in Akron, Iowa,
Tuesday, Match 26, 1907, Thos. W.
Lias, of heart failure, aged 76 yean,
1, month and 7 days.
Seldom has this community been moved by a shock so sadden and so keenly felt as that occasioned by the announcement Tuesday morning of the death of our respected townsman, Thos. W. Lias. The previous day he was about town in his usual health and spirits, voted at the town election and busied himself at home preparing to put in a garden.

Thomas Wilson Lias was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1831. He came west in 1855, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming which had been his pursuit since boyhood. Here, on February 11,1857, he was united in marriage with Susan Jennette, Morse, who has been a faithful, devoted helpmate through all these intervening years, and is now bowed down grievously by the cruel shock of separation. Their union was blessed with seven children. Two daughters, Mary and Lucy, died within a few days of each other, of diphtheria, in July, 1874, on the homestead in Johnson township, this county. The five sons survive: Wm. S of Steele, North Dakota; Ed. S., Geo. H. and Royer C. in the vicinity of Akron, and Harry, near Woonsocket, S. D. The sons are all at home to attend the funeral.

Mr. and Mrs. Lias came from Jackson county to Plymouth county in 1872, settling on a homestead in Johnson township. Here they struggled through the grasshopper period in the late '70s and endured other pioneer day privations that tried the mettle of the staunchest men and women.They stood well the test and continued to live on the homestead until 1800, when the family moved to the farm a short distance southwest of Akron. After fourteen years of active farming there they sold the farm and for the past three years Mr. and Mrs. Lias have lived in town, enjoying together the fruits of their thrift and industry. They celebrated their fiftieth, or golden wedding anniversary February 11, this year.

Mr. Lias was a thorough patriot. Early at the outbreak of the civil war, in 1861, he enlisted in the Second Iowa cavalry. In October, 1864, he received an honorable discharge by reason of the expiration of three years' service. In times of peace he was as loyal to his country's interests as in time of war always participating actively in its political affairs. He would state with much pride that he had supported every republican candidate for president from the time of his first ballot.

The funeral was held on Friday at Akron under the auspices of the G. A. R.
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NOTE: His mother's maiden name was SMITH.

Civil War Record
 

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