Martha M. Thomas 1844-1916

THOMAS, HEALD, GRAY, GRUWELL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 10/17/2018 at 13:56:36

9 March 1916 - West Branch Times

Beloved wife of Samuel S. Thomas departed this life at the family home at 518 Galena avenue, Pasadena, Calif., on the 11th of February.

Services at the residence were largely attended by relatives and friends, after which services were held in the Friends meeting house on Galena avenue, at which time many friends paid tribute to her loving life, sweet and gentle disposition and to her patient fortitude during great suffering.

Mrs. Thomas was born near Salem, Columbia county, Ohio, on August 6, 1844. She was the daughter of John and Eliza Ann Heald, and passed her childhood after sixth year in Cedar county, Iowa, on the old Hickory Grove farm, growing to womanhood amongst the rugged surroundings of those pioneer days. She was married on the 4th of December, 1866, to Samuel S. Thomas, and they made their home on a farm in the neighborhood then known as Hickory Grove, near West Branch, Iowa. Soon after this they moved to the home farm where they lived until moving to Pasadena, California, in 1912. While living there two children died in infancy. Five grew to manhood and womanhood. One son, Albert, died in young manhood. Those surviving are Mary E. Gray and Mrs. Wm. Gruwell of Pasadena; Emery H. Thomas of West Branch; and Arthur Thomas of Lajord Saskatchewan Province, Canada.

A wide circle of relatives in Iowa and California will cherish the loving memory of this gentle life that in such a quiet way found so many opportunities to brighten and cheer and help others. Especially was she known for a sweet disposition and uncomplaining patience. The influence that shed itself about her pathway during life will go on down through the years and thus the gentle memories of her life will bless all who knew her.