Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-04-02
Obituary.

Died, on Sunday, March 8, 1891, at s
O'Clock a. m, Amos b. Thomas, aged 10
years and ) days.
Mr.. Thomas had long and peculiarly try
ing illness, it being five months and two
weeks since he was stricken with that dread
disease, paralysis, but through it all he
had shown remarkable patience and
resignation.
The deceased was born in Eden, Mount
Desert Island, Maine on March 3,lSl2,
and came to Farnington in 1887, and was
consequently, one of Farmington's earliest
pioneers.
At about the age of eighteen Mr.. Thomas
learned the carpenter trade, at his native
place. aud was engaged at this work In
Savannah, Georgia, at the time of the
Seminole war into which he was drafted
and served several months. After this he
returned home and followed his trade In
1887 Mr.. Thomas was induced to come
West for the purpose of purchasing a
soldiers claim in Pennington township
but instead of taking this land he continued
in the carpenter business, though finally
bought the l20 acres on the southwest
border of the town, which in later wears
he improved to one of the finest homes in
this section of the country.
In 1888 he was married to Miss Mary
Hart, school mistress of Pennington,
but at the time engaged as teacher in
Schuyler county. The wedding was one
of the social events of this neighborhoOd
and was attended by many of the prosper
Gus people of the surrounding country.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev.
jeremiah Porter, FarmingtOn'S first pastor
and also ChiCago's first pastor. After their
marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas took up
their abode in part of the house known
as the Bishop property, but afterwards
built the brick house now owned by Isaac
Wing and lived there for many years
Daring residence of about fifteen years
in town Mr.. Thomas was engaged as con
tractor and builder, and hence erected
many of the pioneer dwellings and bust
ness houses of our city. He afterwards
removed with his family to the farm, which
he had previously bought. and where most
of his late years We're spent In lSSS he
purchased the Richard homestead in
Pennington, and it was here that his last
days faded from earthly view, surrounded
by the faithful and loving wife and devot-
ed children.
Mr.. Thomas was member of the
Congregational church of this place, but
previous to the organization of the COngre-
gational society he belonged To the Old
Presby terrain church aud held the Office Of
elder Mr.. Thomas a beloved citizen
has left an influence behind him that will
live for years after his earthly body shall
have been ,mouldcrcd into dust. His chris
tiau character here among Us was an eX-
ample To the coming generation and his
benevolent heart has reached out many
times and comforted the poor and needy
and never swrrycd from the right to neg
.ect a christian act or duty. Through his
great faith in that omnipOtent God he was
enabled to battle with all trials and ditfl-
Cultirs that cross the pathway of this
earthly career and al the last moment was
ready to say the final good-by, to await the
coming of the resurrection morn.
Mr.. Thomas was connected with the
underground railroad and it was through
his great faith in the right that he assisted
many a slave on the way to freedom
The surviving members Of the family are
Mrs. Thomas and two daughters, Mrs. Dir.
Mccall and Mrs. Henry Greenleaf, also one
grandchild, Mrs Hattie Stetson, of Sioux
City, Iowa, and one great grandson,
Master Guy Stetson.
The funeral took place at the family resi-
dence on Tuesday at ? O'Clock and was
attended by a large concourse of people.
The Rev. 4. +. Marsh, Of the Congrega-
tional church. otilciated and the ceremony
was most impressive. In the east parlor,
where his long Illness had been passed,
was the casket, on which rested a sheaf of
wheat with a sickle of carnations and roses.
A border of >mllaX, which encircled the
casket, was fastened by bunch of calas
at the foot, while at the head was Il pillow
of white carnations with 'Rest" in purple
immorteles ON the marble mantel above
rested an anchor of roses and carnations,
a beautiful basket Of cut flowers and
Niphetos roses. The gold plate on the
ca>ket bore the inscription "Amos B.
Thomas, aged 19 years"
The services We're concluded at the grave
and as the casket was being lowered to Its
final resting place, little Guy, the only
great grandchild, stepped forward and laid
bunch of white rosebuds among the many
other floral tributes of loving friends
Thus ends the noble career of one of the
most estmable and honored citizens of
Pennington Pennington (Illinois) Home
Visitor, March l3, 1891.