George I. Thom 1859 - 1934

THOM, ORNER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/29/2022 at 21:06:16

Correctionville News
19 July 1934

MERCHANT AND PIONEER DIES

George I. Thom Succumbs To Illness In Home, Burial Made at Good Hope

The life o£ George I. Thom came to a close in the early hours of Monday. He had been a merchant in Correctionville many, many years, and while not actively engaged in the grocery business for the past few years, yet he was vitally interested in the R. C. Thom & Co. Store. Mr. Thom was a resident of Woodbury County for more than 50 years, coming here when a youth. He has helped in the molding of the life of the community and was highly respected for his forward look, his interest in his community and his family.

George I. Thom was born in Concord, Minnesota, April 11, 1859. He died in Correctionville, Iowa, July 16, 1934, at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 5 days.

When about two years old his parents moved to Pennsylvania, and from thence to Clinton, Iowa. In 1874 the family came to Woodbury County and settled on Union Ridge.

Mr. Thom was a miller by trade and followed that profession until recent years when he entered the mercantile business. After moving to Correctionville, he gave unstinted attention to civic affairs. He spent nine years as a member of the city council and four years as mayor of the city. For the past twelve years, owning to ill health he has retired from business and public life.

His life found wonderful, expression through the channels of Free-Masonry and his activities in behalf of Burning Bush Lodge No. 474, have made him one of the most dearly beloved masons in this section of the state. He served as worshipful members for four terms and had the rare privilege of personally raising each his five sons to the sublime degree of master masons.

In early life he and Ella M. Orner were united in marriage and to this union were born eight children: Elizabeth Crane of Inglewood, Calif., George Jr., of McClusky, North Dak., Margaret Farnsworth of Evanston, Wyoming, Robert of Correctionville, Ernest of Sioux City, Ray of Sioux City, Victor of Goodrich, North Dak., an infant son, Johnny preceded him in death. There are also eleven grandchildren and two brothers surviving: T. R. Thom of Correctionville, and John M. Thom of Hermiston, Ore.

Funeral services were held from the family home in Correctionville, Wednesday, July 18, and were in charge of the Rev. Dr. Karl W. G. Hiller, Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Past Grand Chaplain of Masons’ in Iowa. Dr. Hiller spoke from Proverbs 4, 7, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; " and with all thy getting get understanding. He dwelt on the character of Brother Thom and his earnest application to the underlying principles on which his life was founded.

His body was borne to its final resting place in Union Ridge cemetery "Good Hope” by his five sons, George, Robert, Ernest, Raymond and Victor, who together with his brother, T. R. Thom, served as pall bearers.

Musical selections were rendered by Mesdames Mayme Chitty, 0. C. Kelley, A. H. Brink and Miss Edna Lee, accompanied by Mrs. Ferne Lawson.

Burning Bush Lodge No. 474 A. F. and A. M. was in charge of the burial services at the cemetery. Mr. Henry Bush of Washta rendered the ritualistic burial service, under the direction of W. M. A. H. Fullerton. Rev. Dr. Hiller and Elmer J. Mill participated in the service and a large number of the brethren were in attendance.