Thomas, Henry R. 1831 - 1903

THOMAS, BENTLEY, GREER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:48

Source: Decorah Republican July 9, 1903 Page 2 Col 4

Henry R. Thomas Dead.
Yesterday afternoon about 5 o’clock, Henry R. Thomas died at his home two and one-half miles west of Decorah, after a month’s illness caused by a lesion at the base of the brain, complicated with heart difficulty. Mr. Thomas had not been in robust health for a year past, and on June 8th, while watching the parade of the Wallace circus, he was stricken and had to be removed to his home. He has since been somewhat better and was down town once or twice, but he continued to have mild attacks, and his son, who lived with him, was warned that Mr. Thomas would not live long. Yesterday morning about one o’clock he began to suffer violent pains in his chest and until death relieved him his suffering was continuous.
Mr. Thomas was born in Deep Valley, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., June 23, 1831 where he passed his young manhood. In 1854 he came west and for 3 months worked at his trade as a blacksmith in Monona. He then came to Decorah and after a year in which he worked for others he formed a partnership with John Greer and Lars Haagenson and for a number of years they were engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills. They afterward went in with Ammon, Scott & Co., but in 1868 Mr. Thomas sold out and bought the farm where he died.
Mr. Thomas was a Republican in politics and took an active interest, especially in home matters. For eighteen years he served as township assessor, and he has since been township trustee, a position he held at his death. Altogether he must have served more than twenty-five years in these two offices. This, with his long residence here, made him one of the best known men in this part of the county.
Mr. Thomas was married in 1858 to Mary A. Bentley, who died about four years ago. Five children were born to this union, three of whom—Frederick and Miss Jessie Thomas, of Decorah, and Mrs. Moses Greer of Atlanta, Ga., survive.
The funeral will be held tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at two o’clock, at the home, and the remains will be interred in the Phelps cemetery.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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