George D. L. Thomas

George D. L. Thomas is a native of Allamakee county and a son of one of the pioneers of the ‘40s. He is a self-made man and now owns a valuable farm of ninety-seven acres in Linton township, to the cultivation of which he gives his whole attention. He was born at Waterville, this state, September 24, 1865, his parents being John and Nancy (Snell) Thomas, both natives of Indiana. The father was born February 22, 1824, and the other was about ten years younger, her birth record having been destroyed by fire when she was a mere child. The father practiced medicine in Indiana and came to Iowa on a visit in the later ‘40s. He made the trip from Indiana to this locality and back on foot but the following years he and his brother and wife rode overland in a one-horse wagon. The first winter he made his living here by hunting and the following years engaged in buying and selling land, so continuing for a number of years until he became the owner of a grist-mill at Waterville. He also built a sawmill there and later a second mill of the same kind, engaging in the milling business for about fourteen years. At the end of that period he turned his attention to farming acquiring title to a farm in Franklin township, and was so engaged until he removed to Waukon, where he farmed for two years before another removal was made to Rossville, where five years were spent. He then came to Linton township, where he died in 1907, the mother having preceded him by one year. The father enlisted in the Mexican war as a drummer boy as he was too small to be taken as a regular. However, the war came to a close before the regiment arrived at the front.

George D. L. Thomas is the eighth of ten children born to his parents. He attended school at Bear Hollow in Linton township and also at Waukon and Rossville. When nineteen years of age he took up farm work, remaining on his father’s place until he married, when he bought a farm for himself in Linton township. There he resided until 1906, when he sold out and located on his present place. I comprises ninety seven acres of fertile land and is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. It comprises ninety-seven acres of fertile land and is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. His buildings are substantial, his fields under high cultivation, his stock high grade and his machinery up-to-date and modern, indicating his progressive spirit and thorough methods. He is a stockholder of the Monona Creamery Company and also in the Shipping Association.

On March 24, 1896, Mr. Thomas married Miss Iona Russell, who was born in Linton township at what is now called Sixteen, April 24, 1872. She was a daughter of Washington and Ada Russell, natives of Wisconsin and early settlers of Allamakee county. The father was for many years a prominent farmer and now resides retired at Fennimore, Wisconsin. The mother passed away and her daughter, Mrs. Thomas, is also deceased, her demise occurring November 19, 1907, when but thirty-five years of age. On April 24, 1910, Mr. Thomas married Miss Blanche Rose, who was born in Franklin township, February 14, 1885, a daughter of Charles and Vina (Johnson) Rose, natives of that township. Mr. And Mrs. Thomas have become the parents of a daughter, Inez, who was born in November, 1911.

Mr. Thomas gives his allegiance to the democratic party and efficiently served as school director of his township. Devoting his entire time to his agricultural pursuits, he has been very successful and is today numbered among the substantial farmers of his section.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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