Person:Jacob Thomas (18)

Eldest of thirteen children. In early 1800's migrated to Indiana on the banks of the Wabash River not far from Peru, Indiana. Built a flour mill and did custom grinding. Was a good Christian man, a good worker and taught his boys the mill business (GrD. Eva Winifred Thomas Dowell). 1850 U.S. Census (8/27/50) shows Jacob S., age 38, living in Concord Twp., Champaign Co., Ohio, with wife Elizabeth, age 35, and sons Benjamin F., 15, Jacob W., 10, Robert, 6 and daughters Martha E., 13, Catharine E., 4, and Evaline, 2. His occupation is noted as miller with real estate valued at $4000. He indicates birth in Virginia, Elizabeth and children in Ohio. (SFT) In 1860 U.S. Census Jacob, age 41, is shown living in Butler Twp., Miami Co. IN, with wife, Elizabeth, 45, and sons Benjamin F., Joseph W., Robert, William R. H., and Charles A., daughters Arabell, Catharine, Evaline, and Ann E. Swimley, age 21. His occupation is noted as a farmer with real estate valued at $7,000 and personal effects at $1,000. 1880 U.S. Census shows Jacob, age 67, living in Butler Twp. as a widower. Also in the household are Christina Parker, age 16, noted as a foster daughter, and Robert S. Teague, age 10, noted as a grandson. "Born in Virginia in 1812, husband of Elizabeth Stanley, whom he married in Ohio. They then moved to Miami Co. Indiana in 1853, settling in Butler Twp. Elizabeth made the first dress worn by Mrs. Bondy, the Indian woman who was buried in the Indian Cemetery adjoining the Thomas farm. Jacob and wife drove overland from Urbana, Ohio to Miami Co. Indiana., the trip taking several days. They located at Peoria in Butler Twp., and he was in the milling business util the mill burned down. Thereafter, he returned to the farm, and remained there until 1896, when his son-in-law bought it. Jacob died 4 September 1899, aged 88 years, while his wife died in 1873, aged 57 years." (Genealogical Record, Miami Co. IN, 1593-1914 v. 2, Edited by Robt. Smith) "Born in Jefferson Co. Virginia, 16 October 1812, eldest child of thirteen born to Archibald and Catharine (Swimley) Thomas. Jacob married 6 March 1834, to Elizabeth Stanley. In 1853, he emigrated to Indiana, and Miami Co. Prior to coming to Indiana, he was a miller, but took up farming after coming here. He and Elizabeth had ten children of which these six were living in 1887: Benjamin F., Joseph W. Arabell, Catharine V., Evaline, and William R.H.. Jacob was a Republican and a member of the M. E. Church, and was formerly a member of the Masonic and I.O.O.F. fraternities. His son, Robert S. was in the Civil War and died while in service at Nashville, Tennessee." (Genealogical Record, Miami Co. IN, 1593-1914 v. 1, Edited by Robt. Smith) "The First Settlers . . . the canal land was offered for sale in 1840, hence a flood of immigrants poured in along the Wabash River. Prominent among those who arrived in 1840 were Isaac and John Litzenberger, James Beard and Moses Falk. Falk settled on the farm now owned by Jacob S. Thomas. He established a large trading post, where he sold goods and whiskey to the Indians. The old settlers report that they have seen as many as twenty Indians lying dead drunk around the trading post. When the canal land was offered for sale in 1840 there were only six settlers in the township. . . The Industries . . . Dr. John C. Helm of Peru, Indiana, built a large grist mill at Peoria about 1850. About 1863, Jacob S. Thomas bought a half interest from William Rankins. Thomas was the principal operator of the mill until 1874, when it burned down. He had as partners from time to time Miller, Constant and Beamer. When the mill burned he and Beamer sold the seat to Joseph Stewart, who rebuilt the mill." (History of Miami Co. Indiana, by John H. Stephens) "Jacob S. Thomas, a prominent citizen of Butler Township, is a native of Jeferson County, Virginia, where he was born October 16, 1812, being the eldest child of a family of thirteen children born to Archibald and Catharine (Swimley) Thomas, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, the former of Welsh-Irish and the latter of German descent. Leonard Thomas, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Maryland from whence he removed to Virginia, where he lived until his death. Archibald Thomas, father of our subject, was born April 11, 1787. He was a soldier of 1812. The Captain of his company being ________ Davenport. By occupation he was a farmer. He died March 31, 1863, at his home in Champaign, Green County, Ohio, to which he had emigrated in the year 1827. They making the entire journey from Virginia on foot. The immediate subject of our sketch remained at home and ssisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty years. He had received a meager education in his native State; this subsequent to his marriage was supplemented by his acquiring more knowledge by reading sufficient to enable him to teach which he followed several terms. March 6, 1834, his marriage with Elizabeth Stanley was solemnized. She was a daughter of Robert and Edith (Mason) Stanley. In 1853, he emigrated to Indiana and Miami County, settling on the farm where he now lives. He had learned milling in early life, and followed that vocation until he came to Indiana, where he engaged exclusively in farming for a period of ten years when in 1863 he purchased a mill which he operated until 1874, when his mill burned and he again resumed farming in which he has since continued. From a business point of view Mr. Thomas has been very successful. He is now the proprietor of 233 acres of well improved land. The the union of Mr and Mrs. Thomas, ten children were born, of which these six are now living: Benjamin F., Joseph W., Arabell (now Mrs. R. Thornburg), Catharine V. (wife of Dr. E.K. Friermood), Evaline and William R.H. October 22, 1873, Mr Thomas suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. He is a member of the M.E. Church. He formerly belonged to the Masonic and I.O.O.F. fraternities. In politics he is an ardent Republican. Benjamin F. and Robert S., sons, served their country in the Rebellion." (History of Miami Co. Indiana) Due to construction of the Mississinewa Recreation Area and Reservoir the following Thomas graves and the Methodist Episcopal Church were relocated approximately 1 1/2 miles in 1965: Jacob S., Elizabeth, Robert S., George W., b. 1821, d. 1900. (Cemetery Relocation and Reinterment Records for Mississinewa and Salmonie Reservoirs, 1964-- Peru, Ind. Public Library)