Thomas, Hall H. Dr. 1877 -

THOMAS, POLLITT, PETERS, HOWARD

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/26/2014 at 05:15:07

HALL H. THOMAS, B. Sc., M. D.

Dr. Hall H. Thomas, one of the leading surgeons of Decorah, is now ably serving as city physician, county physician and health officer. His birth occurred in Decorah, Winneshiek county. Iowa, on the 1st of October, 1877, his parents being A. D. and Alice (Pollitt) Thomas, the former born in the northcastern part of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of England. During his active business career A. D. Thomas was a butcher, a cattle buyer and breeder and also a fanner. In 1859 he came to Decorah, this county, and for a time worked at the carpenter's trade. Subsequently he opened a meat market and bought and shipped stock for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and purchased and located on a farm of five hundred acres four miles north of Decorah. He continued the buying and shipping of stock and began breeding Hereford cattle, being the first man to introduce these cattle in the county. In 1895 he moved to Decorah, still retaining his farm and supervising the work until 1900, when he sold the farm and invested part of his money in town property. His demise, which occurred in Decorah on the 8th of November. 1912, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained many friends during the period of his residence in this county, which covered more than a half century. He served as mayor of West Decorah for four terms and acted as president of the school board for a number of years. Mrs. A. D. Thomas came to the United States with her parents when but a child, the family home being established on a farm west of Burr Oak, in Winneshiek county. She now makes her home with her sister. Mrs. Freeman of Decorah, and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community.

Hall H. Thomas acquired his education in the Decorah high school and subsequently entered the Iowa State College, from which institution he was graduated in 1900 with the degree of B. Sc. Preparing for the practice of medicine, he completed the required course in Rush Medical College in 1906, in which year the M. D. degree was conferred upon him. The same year he went to Galesburg, Illinois, as surgeon of the Burlington Railroad Company and two years later transferred to Black Hills. South Dakota, where he remained as surgeon for the company until 1911. At that time he came to Decorah and has since remained in practice here, enjoying an enviable reputation as one of the leading surgeons of the city. He acts as president of the Winneshiek County Medical Society and is also a valued member of the Northeastern Iowa Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His standing in the profession is further indicated by the fact that he now holds the offices of county physician, city physician and health officer.

In 1909 Dr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Florence M. Peters, a daughter of Charles and Emma (Howard) Peters. The father was a prominent street railway man and soap manufacturer of Fort Madison, Iowa, and also owned several large ranches in the west. Both Mr. and Mrs. Peters are deceased, passing away at Fort Madison. Iowa, a few years ago. Our subject and his wife have a son. Hall H., who was born on the 14th of March. 1910.

In politics Dr. Thomas is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He belong to the Phi Beta Pi fraternity of Chicago and is also a member of Decorah Lodge, No. 443. H. P. O. E. Dr. Thomas has won an enviable place in professional circles for one of his years and well deserved recognition among the representative and prosperous citizens of his native county.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913