The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-26
A WAYCROSS PIONEER DEAD.
Rev. w. III. Thomas Yields Up His
Life at 81 Years of Age.

Rev. W. III. Thomas Yields Up His
Life at 81 Years of Age.
waycross, Ga, April 25.-Rev. w. II.
Thomas died at his home on Thomas
street tonight at o'clock. He had been
confined to his bed since last Friday, and
his death was not surprise. Uncle
Thomas was the Oldest minister in the
South Georgia Conference. He was born
Jan. II, 1910, being. therefore, 81 years old
in January. He joined the conference in
1s49. The funeral will occur at Trinity
Church. of which he was an official mem
ber Saturday morning. His sons, George
H., of Albany; Asbury of Alabama and
c. c., of Gainesville Fla. and his daugh-
ter. Mrs. Strickland, of Moniac, Ga, were
here when the end came. Mr.. Thomas
wife survives him.
In the death of Mr.. Thomas Waycross
loses one OF it's valued pioneer citizens.
He has been so closely identified with
Waycross and ii sinterests since the lay
ing of it's first foundation stone. that he
is known everywhere as the father of
Waycross.
He was one of the first to blaze the
way for the coming city among the pines.
His voice has ever been heard in defense
of the right, and his life has been, and
IS to-day sweet benediction to all who
came i'm contact with him. This faithful
patriarch has been first in every effort
made for the upbuilding of Christ's King
dom in the town, and he has been one
of the most active workers in building
churches and in providing for the sup
port of the ministers of the Gospel. He
has served on committee to build three
churches and two parsonages in Way
cross, and has been equally active in the
cause of education. He preached the first
sermon ever delivered here, and his son.
Hon. c. c. Thomas, was the first child
born in the town.
Uncle Thomas was born on Thursday,
Jan. II, 1870 In old Franklin county Geor-
gia. He was a son of William Thomas,
a farmer and horse-drover. In his eight
cen month his father removed to Ken
lucky. Mr.. Thomas was married at the
age OF 19 years to Miss Sarah Allcorn
Five sons end daughters were the result
of this union. His good wife died in 1860,
while he was pastor of the Waresboro Cir
cult. In 1866 he married Miss Laura NJ
Baker, his present wife. She was the
daughter of Judge Richard NJ. Baker of
the Charlton County Court. OF this mar,
riage Col. c. c. Thomas of Waycross,
was born
Uncle Thomas religious experience is
an interesting story. He was soundly
converted at a camp meeting near Wat
kinsviile, Ga, Oct. Is, 1882, and Joined
the Methodist Episcopal Church. South,
in Clark county. In 1916 he was made
a local preacher, and Joined the confer
ence four years later, in the same class
with the late Bishop Joseph s. Key and
Rev. A. NJ. wynn
His first appointment was the state
MI mil
ties located in Georgia, Tennessee and
North Carolina. He received 800 that
year from the Home Mission
Board. and also socks, clothes
and iron bars. valued at $i. During
his early ministry an Indian squaw was
converted one morning as he preached.
probably the first Indian convert in this
country. He was next sent TO the Eli
jay Mission, where he had twenty-threo
appointments every three weeks, the
churches being from ten TO twenty miles
apart. He rode on horseback more than
200 miles each trip, often swimming riv-
ers. and pulling his horse after him. He
remained in the mountains of North
Georgia eight years. In 1857 he moved
to Hawkinsville for the benefit OF his
wifes health. Uncle Thomas was in
charge of the Brunswick Circuit, with
his home in Waynesville, i'm 1858, and
charge of the Waresboro Circuit.
While on this. circuit he took the census
of Ware county for the state and United
States. lie prayed at all the homes he
visited. and won the title of praying
census taker."
In the following years Mr.. Thomas was
in charge Of the Blakely circuit, Center
Village circuit, Colquitt circuit. presiding
elder Of the Brunswick district. In charge
of the Sumter County (tlorda) Mission
for three years supernumerary at Black
shear I'm charge OF Nashville circuit, Cen
ter Village circuit. aud the last year of
his active ministry he was in charge of
the churches at Naylor, stockton, Dupont
aud bonneville. Shortly after being
placed on the superannuated list, Uncle
Thomas located IN Waycross.
For over ninety-one years this faithful
patriarch has lived upon the earth. a
help and blessing 10 all who have come
IN touch with him.