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A finely improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, located
on section 11, Delaware township, has been the home of Oliver
W. Thomas since 1902 and is the merited reward of his life of
thrift and industry. Born in Connecticut, April 20, 1862, he is
the son of William and Lucretia (West) Thomas, both natives of
that state. They came to Iowa in March, 1864, and located on a
farm in Hazel Green township, Delaware county, where they spent
the remained of their lives, Mr. Thomas passing away on the 24th
of July, 1884, while his wife survived until April 29, 1899. To
them were born seven children, three sons and four daughters, as
follows: Albert W., a resident of Nebraska; Herbert S., deceased;
Bessie E., the widow of Richard Howe and a resident of Oxford,
Mississippi; Abbie, who has also departed this life; Oliver W.,
of this review; Mary, the wife of John Daker and a resident of
South Dakota; and Carrie, also deceased.
Oliver W. Thomas remained at home with his father until he
reached maturity, having in the meantime pursued his education in
the common schools and assisted in the care and operation of the
homestead farm. After his marriage he purchased a tract of land
in Hazel Green township, to the cultivation of which he gave his
entire time and attention until 1902, when he disposed of that
property and purchased the farm which has since been his home,
this land being located on section 11, Delaware township. He has
here one hundred and twenty acres, which is improved with good
buildings, while the soil is rich and , owing to the practical
methods which he follows in its cultivation, yields abundant
harvests. He also owns a residence property in Manchester.
Mr. Thomas was married in 1888 to Miss Ida M. French, who was
born in Jones county, Iowa, a daughter of Jesse and Laura (Mudge)
French, natives of Pennsylvania and Vermont respectively. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has been blessed with one
daughter, Loie Ernestine, whose birth occurred January 6, 1890,
and who is now the wife of Arthur Wagner, living in Delaware
township. They have one son, Leonard E., born June 13, 1912.
Mr. Thomas has always supported the men and measures of the
republican party but has never aspired to public office. His wife
is a member of the Congregational church. He has been successful
in life, and while this is chiefly due to his own well directed
efforts, he attributes not a little credit to the able assistance
of his estimable wife. They are people of sterling worth,
respected and esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances and
friends.
Jesse French, father of Mrs. Oliver W. Thomas, in early life went
to Jones county, Iowa, and it was there that he was married.
Subsequently he and his wife took up their abode in Minnesota but
spent only a short time in that state, when they returned to
Jones county and located on a farm, Mr. French engaging in
carpentering and wagon-making for a number of years. He
eventually purchased a farm in Jones county, to which he removed,
but in due time disposed of that land and bought a farm in Hazel
Green township, Delaware county. After a few years he sold the
latter place and invested in land in Milo township, this county,
but his last years were spent in retirement in a pleasant home in
Manchester, and it was in that city that his death occurred in
1905. His wife still survives and yet makes her home in
Manchester, at the age of seventy seven years. They were parents
of seven children: Elmer D. and Loyal Newton, both deceased;
Charles H., of Hawarden, Iowa; Alice A., the widow pf Byron
Lawton, of Hawarden, Iowa; Ida M., now Mrs. Thomas; Effie L., the
wife of Wesley Metteer, of Creighton, Nebraska; and Herbert A., a
minister now located in Virginia. Mrs. Thomas enjoyed the
advantages of a college education and prior to her marriage
engaged in teaching for two years. |
