George Ingraham Thom

THOM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 22:14:26

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

George Ingraham Thom
By Robert Thom

Prominent among the enterprising, progressive and public-spirited citizens of Correctionville is George Ingraham Thom, who is now serving as mayor and who in his business career has made consecutive advancement along substantial lines, whereby he has won success and also the confidence of his fellow man. In community affairs he is deeply interested and has put forth his effort in a helpful way to advance the general welfare. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his loyalty and his capability, chose him for the highest office within their power to bestow, and as chief executive of the city he is now giving an administration that is practical, business-like and helpful.

Mr Thom is a native son of the west, his birth having occurred in Minnesota on the 11th of April, 1859. Seven years later he was brought to Iowa and since 1875 has lived in Woodbury County. Descended from Scotch ancestry who came from the north of Ireland and were of protestant faith, he traces his lineage back to the time of the Revolutionary War. Two brothers of the name of Thom fought for American independence, but after the war was ended they never saw or heard from each other again. One brother, Joseph Thom, settled in Pennsylvania. He was the great grandfather of our subject.

John M Thom, the father of George I Thom, was a native of Indiana, but was reared in Chilton, Pennsylvania and was married there, on November 28, 1849, to Eleanor Jane Ellis, who was his second wife and the mother of George I Thom. By trade the father was a millwright, following that pursuit throughout his active business career. In an early day he sought a home in the west amid the broader business opportunities to be found in this portion of the country, and removing to Minnesota, he there built and operated a mill, at Concord. Subsequently he went to California, where he worked at his trade for some time, but afterward returned to Pennsylvania and there joined his family. He continued as a millwright in the Keystone state until 1867, when he came to Iowa, settling near Charlotte, in Clinton County, where he owned and conducted a mill, in Wild Cat Den State Park of modern times.

George I Thom was reared to manhood in Clinton County and pursued his education in the schools in Charlotte and DeWitt. About 1875 he came to Woodbury county with his father, where he worked at the milling business and farming, which he had learned under the direction of his father. Later he turned his attention to farming only, and in 1887 he came to Correctionville, where he began a transfer business, conducting a dray and express line. He now owns and employs several teams used in this business. He is messenger for the American Express Company and handles all the express that is transferred here. In the transfer business he has secured a large patronage and is one of the successful and prosperous men of the town. He purchased here a good residence, which he has remodeled and improved, and now has a very desirable home.

Politically Mr Thom is a staunch Republican, giving unfaltering support to the men and measures of his party. He was elected and served as a member of the town council for about seven years and in 1902 he was chosen mayor of Correctionville for a term of two years, so that he is the present incumbent in the office. He has ever been most loyal and true to the trusts reposed in him and while he gives an economic and business-like administration his work is also characterized by a progressive spirit that had accomplished much good for the city.

Mr Thom was married in Woodbury County, November 21, 1879, to Miss Ellen M Orner, a native of Wisconsin, who came to Woodbury County when a maiden of eight summers. She was reared and educated here and is a daughter of Isaac Orner, a native of Ohio, who spent his youth in Indiana, whence he later went to Wisconsin and married Elizabeth Ashmore.

Mrs Thom is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr Thom is charter member of the Masonic Fraternity, being identified with the blue lodge at Correctionville and with Kingsley Chapter, R A M. He served through all the chairs, including that of junior warder, and for two years has been master to the lodge. He is likewise identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, has filled all of its offices and is a past chancellor, while on sever occasions he has been representative to the grand lodge.