William Henry THOMAS, a
resident of Vienna, and County Clerk of Johnson County, is one of the
veterans of the Civil War, in which he took part when he was but a mere
youth, and throughout his entire career he has honored the citizenship
of this his native county both in public and in private life.
He was born October 28, 1845, in Simpson Precinct, of which his father,
Washington G. THOMAS, was an early settler.
Washington THOMAS was born in Tennessee, and was a son of Henry THOMAS,
who was also a native of that State, coming from its earliest pioneer
families. He was a farmer by occupation, and in time he too
became a pioneer, coming to Illinois in 1832, making the journey with
teams, and at first locating in the wilderness in what is now Burnside
Precinct. A few years later he removed to Simpson Precinct,
where he bought land, which in time he developed into a good farm.
At the outbreak of the War, our subject's grandfather, Henry
THOMAS, was still living on the old homestead, but his patriotism was
aroused at his country's peril, and he left his comforts and all that
he held dear to give his services to the Government. He went
to Peoria and joined the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry. The
infirmities of age were upon him, however, and he was soon discharged
on account of disability. He returned to Johnson County and died here
in 1885, full of years.
The father of our subject was thirteen years old when he came to
Illinois with his parents. He grew to a stalwart manhood amid
pioneer surroundings, and in due time took unto himself a wife in the
person of Mary SIMPSON, a native of Johnson County and a daughter of
William SIMPSON, one of its pioneers. Mr. THOMAS took up a
tract of Government land in Simpson Township, and built thereon the log
house in which his son, our subject, was born. He improved
his land, and made it his dwelling-place until the time of the war,
when he sold it, and bought another tract of land in the same township,
which he still makes his home.
He of whom we write is one of seven children. He was given
excellent advantages for obtaining a sound education, of which he laid
the basis in the district school, and he subsequently attended the
Southern Illinois College, at Carbondale. The same spirit of
loyal devotion to his country that had animated his grandfather found
ready echo in the heart of our subject, and, though he was scarcely
eighteen years of age, he too volunteered to assist his
fellow-countrymen in suppressing the rebellion, and on the 9th of
December, 1863, his name was enrolled as a member of Company G,
Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry. He served steadfastly until
after the close of the war, his regiment for the most part being on
duty in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, and his career as a soldier
reflected credit on his native State. He was honorably
discharged in July, 1865.
Returning to his old home after he left the army, Mr. THOMAS soon began
to utilize his education by teaching, and was engaged in that
profession during the winter seasons for six years, occupying himself
the rest of the year in farming. After marriage he bought a
farm in Simpson Township, which he sold three years later in order that
he might devote himself to mercantile pursuits, which he followed at
Sanburn four years. He then resumed his former occupation, buying a
farm in Bloomfield Township, which he carried on successfully until he
sold it in 1891, at the same time buying another in the same township.
Mr. THOMAS is well fitted both by native ability and education for
public oflice, and his fellow-citizens have often called him to fill
responsible positions. He held the offices of Township Clerk
and Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace in his native township;
and in Bloomfield Township he has been Justice of the Peace and School
Director. In 1890 he was elected Clerk of Johnson County, and
in this position has won a high reputation for efficiency, and is
accounted one of our best officials . Our subject's war record is
commemorated by his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic as a
member of Vienna Post No. 221. Religiously, he is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also
belongs. In politics, he was a Republican for many years, but
he is now identified with the People's party. Mr. Thomas was
married in 1870 to Miss Martha Adaline, daughter of William R. and
Sidney Amanda (WATERS) WHITESIDE, and a native of Pope County. They
have a pleasant home abounding in comfort and cheery hospitality, and
seven children have blessed their union: Charlie E., Willard G., Orpha
B., Fred, Louis F., Lilian May and Birdie.
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