Robert Hanson THOMAS

Notes:

reference, TRAILS WEST TO RED WILLOW COUNTY NEBRASKA by Robert T. Ray and Lois Rutledge

In 1878, Robert Thomas, Verdon Glandon, Ed Leash and Charlie Hoag, made a pleasure trip from Illiinois and liking the country, they all took land. He was a contractor and builder, being one of the first in Indianola. He helped to put up many
of the first buildings such as school houses, churches, businesses, and homes. He was a charter member of the Congregational Church in Indianola, a member of the Old Settlers' Association, the Modern Woodman, the Eastern Star and the Masonic
Lodges. He died at his home just west of town, after being in poor health for over two years.



Uncle John Wolfe, " G-grandfather Puckett told Dad (Asa Wolfe), ""I don't know why you want to marry that Thomas girl. All your sons will be bald headed."" True, to the third generation."



Ina Mae Wolfe remembers that when grandpa Bob Thomas was old, he began to think that people were trying to steal his carpenters tools. To save them he began burying them, and then he would forget and think that they were stolen. When the family
went to visit, Asa took Ina around the yard looking for signs of places that had recently dug up in the yard. Then they would recover the buried tools.



From a newspaper article dated "THURSDAY JULY 16, 1931" VOL. XXXIX



R.H. Thomas Succumbs

Pioneer Builder Answers Call



Robert H. Thomas, pioneer builder and farmer of Indianola and Red Willow County, died Monday afternoon at his home just west of town. On Sunday he had eaten a hearty dinner and was taken sick some time during the night. Monday morning
Mr. and Mrs Wolfe called the doctor for him but he was unable to do more than relieve Mr. Thomas temporarily.

Mr. Thomas had been in poor health for the past two years and his death was not unexpected, although it is, nevertheless, quite a shock to his family. He was seriously ill shortlu before the death of Mrs. Thomas two months ago, but
appeared to gain strength again. His mind has been clouded the last few months and never seemed to realize that Mrs. Thomas was gone.

Mr. Thomas was one of four young men who came to this country together in the late seventies and homesteaded. From this experience came a friendship that has endured as long as they lived. V.J. Glandon is the only remaining member of
the quartet. C.B. Hoag, another member, died three years ago.

Mr. Thomas built many houses in and around Indianola and McCook, among which is the old Indianola high school building which, after 45 years of service, is still in use and is in fairy good shape. He was generous to a fault, a good
neighborand a loving husband and father. He leaves a son and two daughters; Robert Jr., of Puyallup, Wash., Mrs. A.A. Wolfe of Kanawha Iowa, and Mrs. E.H. Korb of Indianola.

The community has suffered a severe loss and we extend our sincere sympany to his family.

Robert married Kate DUNNING on 15 Mar 1883. Kate (daughter of Cyrus DUNNING and Lucy Ursula WHEELER) was born on 21 Jun 1857 in near Mound City, MO; died on 16 May 1931 in Indianola, NE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jr. Robert H. THOMAS was born in Apr 1893 in Nebraska; was buried in Washington (state).
2. Lucy H. THOMAS was born in Feb 1890 in Nebraska; was buried in probably in Indianola.
3. Mary A. Duborks was born in Dec 1888 in Nebraska.
4. Alice Mae THOMAS was born on 6 Dec 1890 in Indianola, NE; died on 9 May 1975 in Billings, MT.

Notes:

Mable Clair Thomas Wright wrote in a letter to her nephew Forrest, posted on 3-31-1947:

"Grandfather's (Abel Thomas) people were Quakers first. Grandfather wanted to play the violin but his father wouldn't let him, because they didn't believe in music. His father said that the Devil was in the violin. They didn't believe in having organs in their churches. They just sang hymns. Even when we went to G.C. to live, the United Presbyterianswho had a church over by Leopolds Hospital, sang without an organ or piano in 1910. "

She also wrote, "I must tell you Grandfahter's nickname was Tuck. He batched when he was going to college and ate mostly beans, and he used to write poetry for people and buy his candy. He was great for candy but had no money for it.

Abel married Harriet W. BLAIR on 28 May 1839 in Butler Co., Ohio. Harriet (daughter of II Robert BLAIR and Rachael WORTMEN) was born on 12 Sep 1815 in Trenton, Ohio; died on 12 May 1893; was buried in Hope Cemetery, Warren County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Hope Cemetery is actually closer to Galesburg, Knox County, IL.

Notes:

Quaker Meeting Records of Maryand:

Hannah Starr daughter of Jonathan Starr, late of Frederick County, Maryland and Phebe, his wife, both deceased married November 32, 1809 at Bush Creek Meeting House, Maryland, Isaac Thomas of Monallen, Adams County, PA son of Isaac and Eleanor
, deceased, of same place

Isaac married Hannah STARR on 23 Oct 1809 in Bush Creek Meeting House, MD. Hannah was born in 1790; died in 1867. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

My previous information stated that they were married Sept 12, 1815. I may have gotten that from the Blair Society For Gneealogical Research.

Robert married Rachael WORTMEN in 1798. Rachael (daughter of Jan Wortman and Sally) was born on 23 Sep 1779; died on 23 Jun 1828 in Miami Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived at Coventry and was a member at various times of Exeter, Uwchalan, and Menallen where he was buried.

Isaac married Eleanor /Miller Millard. Eleanor died in 1790/1791. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

daughter of Benjamin and Jane Millard, members of Uwchalan Meeting 7-5-1781.

Notes:

Served in the Revolutionary War. Occupation, Judge and Sheriff. He was active in the New Jersey Legislature and served as a court justice and Sheriff of Somersett Co., NJ. Called both Capt. Blair and Robert Blair, Esq.



He may have had a daughter who married a ____ Barkley and lived in NY.

Robert married Eleanor SUTPHEN. Eleanor (daughter of Guisbert Sutphen and Ariantje Van Pelt) was born on 9 Jan 1755 in Bedminster, Sommerset Co., NJ; died on 17 Nov 1827 in Sommerset CO., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Original Source: Early Germans of New Jersey , cited by Marcella Claire Thomas

Jan married Sally. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]