The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1912-02-16
Bourbon's Oldest Citizen Dead.

MIR. John w. Thomas, the oldes
citizen of BOURBON county, and one O.
the most prominent, died at the homi
of his granddaughter, Mrs. Leer Stout
on Seventh street yesterday morning
about l o clock, after an illness o.
| several months, due to his advanced
age.
Had Mr.. Thomas lived until the
| twenty ninth day of April he wOulC
have rounded out his ninety-third year
and although advanced in age, unit
the illness which proved his last, he was
exceedingly active and referred with
pride to the many years he had passed
| in this life.
Mr.. Thomas was native of Bour-
BON county and descended fromVirginia
stock, his grandfather, William
Thomas, emigrating to Kentucky in
1896, settling i'm Bourbon county. His
father, John Thomas, was born in
Virginia in 1856 and came to Kentucky
with his parents, when this state was
sparsely settled, at the age of ten
years.
Mr.. Thomas was born near North
Middletown, where the greater part or
his life was spent upon the old home
place, settled by his fOrefather. Be
fore he moved to Paris, which was
more than twenty-five years ago, he
was actively engaged in the pursuit OF
agriculture upon his farm of three
hundred and sixty acres, and his
career was one of remarkable success.
Being an admirer Of horses, Mr..
Thomas was engaged in the breeding
of blooded stock and bred and raised
the noted trotting horse, Kentucky
Prince, who after showing the wonder
full gait of 2 :32, which was regarded
as nothing short of remarkable at that
time, and there being no other of ami
NAL flesh in the state that equaled his
record, brought forth a fiattering offer
for the animal, and he parted with him
reluctantly at the handsome figure of
$40, 300. His owner afterwards declin-
ed an offer of $25, 900 for the horse.
Mr.. Thomas served as Magistrate
from the North Middletown precinct
for one term, qualifying on the third
of June, 1867, and from which he earn
ed the title of squire, by which ne was
familiarly known. He was probably
chosen more than any other man in
Bourbon county, where matters con-
corning division of property were in
volved, which was due to excellent
judgment and fairness in all cases.
Some thirty years ago Mr.. Thomas
made division of his property among
his children, and lived many years to
see them enjoy that which he had be-
sto0ed upon them. Moving to this
city from North Mldnletown he was
actively engaged in the purchase of
tobacco from which he protited hand
somely and was widely known as one
of the foremost tobacco men of the
State.
Until recently he has been very
active for one of his years, and it was
seldom. when the weather permitted,
he was not seen upon the streets con-
verSing with his may friends. He
enjoyed the best of health, never
suffering from the slightest indis-
position, and in many respects was a
m Ost remarkable man.
Mr.. Thomas was twice married. Al
the age Of twenty he was united il
marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Kerr,
daughter Of Harvey Kerr, of Bourbon
county. His first wife died on Septem.
bre l3, 1910, leaving one son, z. x.
| Thomas, who survives his father, Their
only ten days old. His secund wife
was Miss Margaret Kerr, cousin oil
| his first wife, to whom he was united
in marriage in 1912 This union was
! blessed with seven children, two son:
and five daughters, all of whom sur
vive, with one exception.
Six years agO.the second wife passed
to her reward and following her death
/ Mr.. Thomas, disposed of his residence
property on Higgins avenue, and tool
up his residence with his daughter,
Mrs. Candace Smith. and granddaugh
| ter, Mrs Leer Stout. Mr.. Thomas
continued quite active, although the
weight of years began to tell heavily
upon his well-preserved boy and abou
three months ago was seized with the
illness that sapped his energy and wa.
destined to bring his career to an end
| Mr.. Thomas was member of the
| Christian church, protesting religion!
faith about three years ago.
He is survived by seven children
three sons. E. K. Douglas and J. W
Thomas. Jr., of this city; Mrs. JOS r
Darnall, of Mckinney. Texas; Mrs
Emma Thmaos. Decatur. Tex. Mrs
Alma Adair, OF Cincinnati and Hrs
Candace Smith, of Paris.
! Inc 1uneraI Will De held from tht
residence of Mr.. Leer Stout OF
Seventh street this afternoon at 2 81
O'Clock, conducted by Elder j. T. Shar
rard. Burial will take place in Paris
cemetery. The pall-bearers will be a.
follows:
Active-C. M. Thomas, Benne
Thomas, Vim Grimes, F. z. Walker
Clarence K. Thomas, Douglas Thomas
Jr., Chas. Adair and Leer Stout.
Honorary. Will Bedford, j. d
McClintock, w. II. Mcmillan, J.. T
Hinton, w. T. Talbot, T. j. Judy
Judge II. G. Smith.