My Genealogy Hound

S. S. THOMAS, farmer; P. O. Hollandsburg, Ohio. The subject of this memoir is an early settler and prominent citizen of this township; he was born July 30, 1828, near the place where he now resides; he is of Welsh descent, and the son of Charles W. Thomas, one of the pioneers of this township; he was born in Maryland, and emigrated to Ohio when quite young (notice last of sketch); he settled first in Greene Co., where he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mercy Sackett; she was born in North Carolina and emigrated to Greene Co. with her parents about the beginning of the present century; her father, Cyrus Sackett, was a soldier in the great struggle for American independence; he celebrated his marriage with Mrs. Sackett in 1792. Mr. Charles Thomas came to this county about 1826 and located on land previously entered by his father, Daniel Thomas, Sec. 31, in German Township; he found it then covered with the mantle of nature, and the country a vast wilderness; at that time it required nerve and courage to begin life there; this, however, was not wanting with Mr. Thomas, and the wilderness was soon made to “blossom as the rose;” he lived on this place till 1864, when he disposed of it and moved into Hollandsburg; while on a visit to Greene Co., he was taken sick with fever from which he never recovered; his death occurred Sept. 1, 1872, at the age of 74 years 8 months and 4 days; his devoted wife preceded him to her final rest several years, her death occurring June 29, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. T. were faithful members of the M. E. Church, and their lives were examples of Christian piety and virtue; nine children, four sons and five daughters were born to them, all of whom are still living. Our subject’s youthful days were passed upon the farm; at the age of 18, he was apprenticed to the “cabinet trade,” and served a term of two years; he then engaged at journey-work in Richmond, Ind., for a period of five years; at the end of this time, he purchased a cabinet-shop in Palestine, which he controlled about one year and disposed of it, moving to the place where he now resides. He was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Berry April 29, 1855; she was born in Hamilton, Butler Co., Jan. 15, 1837, and came to this county with her parents in 1838, locating where she now lives, in Sec. 32; her father, Thomas Berry, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to this State when a young man; he was married to Betsey Randolph, a native of Butler Co., Ohio; his death occurred Sept. 8, 1839; his wife survived him till Aug. 4, 1851, when her death occurred; she had previously united in marriage with Mr. William Freeman; Mr. and Mrs. Berry were both zealous members of the M. E. Church, and passed peacefully to rest when their life’s work was ended, lamented by all who knew them. Mr. Thomas is one of those who left the comforts of home and endured the perils of the battlefield for the preservation of the Union; he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Battery early in the spring of 1864, and participated in the battles of Black River Bridge and Yazoo City; he was honorably discharged with the regiment at Camp Dennison, Aug. 5, 1865; in politics, Mr. Thomas is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of ten children, three of whom died when quite young; two sons and five daughters are still living; one daughter, Ellen, was united in marriage, Nov. 8, 1877, with G. W. Hill, son of H. L. Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are consistent members of the M. E. Church. Charles W. Thomas was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Fort Meigs most of the time during the period of his service.