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.
