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- Silas Stephen THOMAS was born
in the state of New York, Feb. 24, 1824, and
- died in Milton, Feb. 28, 1910, a little
over eighty-six years old.
- His parents were Rowland and Prudence
(POTTER) THOMAS. His early life was
- spent in the vicinity of Alfred, N.Y.
He was religiously brought up. but only had the advantage of
a common school education. At the age of about eighteen years
he was converted and joined the Seventh-day Baptist church at
Alfred.
- In July, 1844, he was married to Martha
A. CRANDALL and in 1855 removed with
- his family to Albion, Wis., uniting
with the S.D.B. church there, and continuing his occupation as
a farmer. Four children were born to him and his wife, two of
whom survive their parents, Mrs. Mary L. MAXSON, who has
recently cared for her father in his old age, and Mr. Randolph
B. THOMAS of Milton. One of the children died in infancy
and the other, deceased some time since, was the wife of L. J.
GREEN, and mother of Mrs. DeForest EMERSON, and
Mr. Lewis S. GREEN, of Albion.
- In the last year of the Civil War Mr.
THOMAS enlisted and served in the 1st
- Wisconsin Heavy Artillery at Alexandria,
Va., till the close of the war. He suffered no wounds in service,
but by hardship and exposure his health became somewhat impaired.
- In 1892, Mrs. Martha THOMAS
died, and in 1893, Mr. THOMAS removed to
- Milton and soon built the house which
he always afterwards occupied on Madison Avenue. Mr. THOMAS
after coming to Milton united with the S.D.B. church in this
place of which he was a member at the time of his death.
- In 1895 he married Mrs. Emma JORDAN,
a half sister of Mrs. Maggie BROWN
- of Milton. She was in the latter part
of her life, an invalid, and died Sept. 21, 1909. Since the death
of Mrs. Emma THOMAS, and for nearly a year before, during
her invalid state, Mrs. Mary MAXSON, the surviving daughter
of Mr. THOMAS gave her father devoted care, looking after
all the interests of the home.
- Mr. THOMAS during the last few
years was in feeble health, but his end came
- wholly without warning. On Monday morning
he went to the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. BROWN,
and after greeting those present in a cheerful and pleasant manner,
remarking upon his activity and saying that he had not time to
stay long, suddenly fell, smitten with apoplexy, and died without
a murmur. Thus without a sign he was summoned from this life
to that to come. But his friends knowing his preparation for
the last change, can but regard the stroke, sudden as it was,
as merciful and gracious. God's ways are always best.
- Mr. THOMAS was during his active
life always a regular attendant at the services of
- his church and devoted to its welfare.
He was a man of very positive convictions and unhesitating in
the statement of his views. He was a staunch advocate of prohibition
and until his declining years identified with that political
party. He was socially inclined and read music and always kept
up his interest in public affairs. He was uncompromising in his
ideas of right and was industrious and energetic in his life,
having many friends and few enemies. [Thursday edition, p.
1]
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