McDonough ILGenWeb

THOMAS, Samuel, the popular and efficient Postmaster of Industry, McDonough County, Ill., and for many years previously engaged in agricultural pursuits in McDonough County, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, March 8, 1833, a son of William and Catherine (Anderson) Thomas, his father being a native of Maryland, and his mother of Virginia. His paternal grandparents were Nicholas and Margaret (Ross) Thomas, natives of Maryland. His maternal grandfather was James Anderson, a Virginian. At the age of ten years Samuel Thomas began work at farming and so continued until he was twenty-one years old, meanwhile obtaining what instruction was afforded by the public schools in his neighborhood. He came to Illinois and worked on a farm in McDonough County until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until August, 1864. On his discharge from the army Mr. Thomas returned to McDonough County and worked five years on a farm which he had bought in New Salem Township. He then sold this property and moved to Scotland Township, where he purchased eighty acres of land. This he sold three years later, and bought another farm in the southern portion of the township. Five years afterward he disposed of this also, trading for 320 acres of Kansas land. In 1891 he moved to Industry village, and purchased the residence which he now occupies.

On April 17, 1875, Mr. Thomas was married to Eugenia Williams, a native of McDonough County. Three children have been born of this union, namely: Sherman, Nettie (Mrs. W. H. Morley), and Mary (Mrs. Forrest F. Ellis). All reside in McDonough County. Politically, Mr. Thomas is a Republican. He was first appointed Postmaster in 1898. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch was a good farmer and a brave soldier, and he is regarded throughout the community as a good citizen and a capable Postmaster.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 1019-1020, extracted 07 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass.