Thomas, Zeph

THOMAS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 20:28:22

Zeph Thomas

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.640)
ZEPH THOMAS, a prominent farmer of Washington Township, was born in Champaign County, Illinois, July 10, 1855, the son of David I. THOMAS, a native of Hardin County, Ohio, and a son of John THOMAS, a native of Germany, who served in the war with Mexico and was a Greybeard in his regiment. The mother of our subject was Nancy J. (DUNN) THOMAS, a native of Hardin County, Kentucky, and the daughter of Zeph DUNN, who was born in the same state and a son of Thomas DUNN. The Wife of Zeph DUNN was Sarah Ann (BROWNFIELD) DUNN, daughter of John BROWNFIELD, who lived to a very old age, dying in 1866. The THOMAS family moved to Henry County, Iowa, where the parents lived until their death, the father dying in 1873 at the age of 51 years. He was an expert machinist, gunsmith and blacksmith by trade; was a Democrat politically, and religiously was a believer in the Dunkards’ Church. They were the parents of five children, of whom two now live in Nebraska, one in Iowa, one in Indiana, and one in Oregon.

Zeph was taught his father’s trade in early life, but never followed it, and for 14 years was engaged in lumbering on Skunk River. In 1881 he bought his present farm of 80 acres in Pottawattamie County, on which he has made many improvements, and now owns one of the best farms in the county. Besides his general farming he is also engaged in stock raising.

He was married in Henry County, Iowa, in April 1878, to Miss Brovice G. HUDDLESTON, who was born in 1861 in Henry County, the daughter of Greenbury and Sarah (MERRIFIELD) HUDDLESTON, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Dayton, Ohio, and died July 24, 1887. Mr. And Mrs. THOMAS are the parents of four children: Sylvia E., Edward D., Allie and Bessie O. Politically Mr. Thomas is independent.