Person:Benjamin Thomas (26)

1870 U.S. Census: Benjamin F. Thomas, age 35, born OH, Farmer, Butler Twshp., Miami Co. IN., pg. 21; Mary R., age 24, OH; Elba, age 1, IN. 1880 U.S. Census, V.23, E.D. 123, Sheet 1, Line 5, 6/1/80: Benjamin F. Thomas, age 44, born OH, father born VA, mother born OH, Farmer, Miami Co., Butler TWP, IN; Mary R., age 33 (father and mother both born OH), Elba M., age 11, Olive A., age 9, Jacob E., age 7, Catherine, age 5, Evaline, age 1. 1900 U.S. Census shows B.F. Thomas, age 64, living in Springvale Twp., Pratt Co., KS. Family included wife, Mary R., age 53, daughter Eva, 20, and son, Emil, 15. 1910 U.S. Census shows B.F. Thomas, age 74, living in Barber Co., KS, with wife, Mary R., age 63, and son Emil, 25. Occupation noted as "own income." Moved to Kansas from Indiana in 1884 w/wife 6 children and Grandmother Shively. Lived in sod house in area now called Springvale. During Civil War lived in IN. Received U.S. land grant for NE 1/4, Sec. 15, R15, Twp. 29 (Springvale, KS) on Feb. 4, 1910. Enlisted in an Indiana Regiment (Union) in 1861; served in cavalry during Tennesse campaign; fought in the Battle of Murfreesboro and several others. He and several of his comrades drank water out of a well that a southern woman posioned. Several died, but Ben lived, though he had stomach problems the rest of his life and had to be careful about his diet. He was a good Christian man, taught school, worked in mills, and stood for everything that was good and right. I can remember him when the flag went by, throwing back his shoulders, taking off his hat and putting it over his heart. (Dau., Eva Winifred Thomas Dowell) Ben survived the Civil War by a stroke of good luck. On the day that Lincoln was assassinated, he waited in Memphis to board a hospital ship that was collecting sick and wounded Union soldiers for a trip north on the Mississippi. The ship, being full, left without him. Later the ship blew up, killing all on board. (GrdSon, Millard F. Dowell) BFT's gravestone, in Medicine Lodge, KS., indicates that he was a member of the12th Indiana Cavalry, and states, "A precious one from us has gone. A voice we loved is stilled. A place is vacant in our home that can never be filled." (SFT, visual observation, 7/90) BFT served as a Pvt. in the 12th Indiana Cavalry, Company L/M. Regiment was organized at Kendallville and was mustered in on March 1, 1864. The regiment was mustered out at Vicksburg, November 10, 1865. Benjamin F. Thomas m. Mary R. Shively, Sept. 10 1867--Miami Co., IN Index of Marriages, C 1 437. Obituary from Medicine Lodge Cresset, Thurs. June 16, 1916 "Death of B. F. Thomas Early Wednesday morning our citizens received the sad news of the death of Mr. B. F. Thomas, who passed away at his home on North Walnut St. Mr. Thomas had been ill for the past two months with bladder trouble and his death was not altogether unexpected, as he had been gradually growing weaker each day, and his advanced age gave little hopes of his ultimate recovery. The funeral services were held this afternoon (Thursday) at the Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. Cummings. Interment was in Highland Cemetery. Thus ends the life work of another old soldier, who has answered his last roll call on earth, and now goes to a higher reward. Mr. Thomas has many warm personal friends both in Barber and Pratt counties to whom his death will cause sadness. He was a member of the Methodist Church having become a member when he was only 19 years of age, and ever since that time he has lived a consistent Christian life, always ready and willing to do everything he could to help his fellow man. Benjamin Franklin Thomas was born in Clark Co., Ohio, October 26th, 1835 and died at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, January 5, 1916, aged 80 years, 2 months and 9 days. He enlisted in the 12th Indiana Cavalry and served a little more than two years during the Civil War. He was married in October, 1866, to Miss Mary Shively, at Reserve, Indiana, and in 1884, he and his family came to Pratt county where he pre-empted a homestead which they still own. They continued to reside there until about nine years ago, when they moved to Pratt where they lived for three years, after which they came to this city. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, six of whom are living, a daughter having died when she was thirteen years of age. The children who are living are: Mrs. J.M. Leonard of Wetherby, Mo., Mrs. J.P. Thomas, Mrs. Charles Post, J.E. and Emil Thomas of this city; and Mrs. F.E. Dowell of Wellsford, Kansas. They with the aged mother have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community."

Cause of death: Acute interstitial nephritis (cystitis, contributory)

1.   State of Kansas Certificate of Death.