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         GEORGE W. THOMAS, who is ex-Clerk of the District Court of Louisa County, was born in Wapello, Dec. 14, 1856, and is a son of George F. and Elizabeth R. (Minton) Thomas. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of Louisa County, and their sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His maternal grandparents were also very early settlers at Wapello, and his grandfather, Hon. Jacob Minton, was a member of the Second Territorial Legislature of Iowa.

Our subject attended the public schools from the time he had attained sufficient age until he was thirteen. Then, his parents being like many others of the pioneers of this Western country, not any too well provided with this world’s goods, he had to begin to make a living for himself. After two years spent upon a farm he entered upon the mysteries of mercantile life as a grocer’s clerk. Quitting that occupation at the age of seventeen, he was engaged to assist in the management of a livery stable, which occupation afforded more freedom of action and more excitement than the routine of a grocer’s clerk. Two years later he engaged with a lumber firm as teamster. After three years in that employment he opened a restaurant in Wapello. One year of that business served to satisfy his ambition in that direction, when he sold out and accepted the position of Deputy Clerk of the District Court, entering upon the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1880. This business proving congenial to his taste, Mr. Thomas was a candidate for the office at the ensuing election in the fall of 1882, and was elected. He took possession of the office Jan. 1, 1883, and his services proved so satisfactory to his constituents and the public generally that he was re-elected at the succeeding elections of 1884 and 1886.

At Wapello, Iowa, Nov. 25, 1880, the marriage of Mr. Thomas and Miss Mary M. Huff, a daughter of John Huff, Esq., former Clerk of the Court, was celebrated. Mrs. Thomas’ death occurred April 9, 1884, following the birth of her child, which was born and died April 1, of that year. Mr. Thomas was again married, Jan. 20, 1886, at Wapello, to Miss Jennie Smith, daughter of ex-County Treasurer E. F. Smith. Mrs. Thomas was born in Peoria County, Ill., and her mother’s maiden name was Sarah Hungerford. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one child, a son, George Smith, born Jan. 12, 1887, at Wapello, Iowa. Mrs. Thomas received her religious instruction under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, of which she is now a member. During his long term of service, Mr. Thomas proved himself competent and attentive in the discharge of official duties, while by uniform courtesy he has won hosts of friends.