The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-06-04
City's Oldest
Resident Dies
JOHN H. THOMAS PASSES AWAY
NIGHT OF DECORATION DAY
AFTER LONG LIFE HERE.

John H. Thomas who has been a
resident of Redwood Falls since April
[ /. 1866, passed away at his home here
the evening Of May 30. Mr.. Thomas
had bern i'll for many months, his i'll
ness being peculiar form of pneu-
monia. his advanced years greatly
hindered his recovery. Funeral SER
vices were held at the home Monday
afternoon, Rev. Root of Jackson con-
Quoting the service. Mr.. Root had
played, as small boy, about the shop
of Mr. Thomas, and there had always
been firm friendship between the two
| in spite of the discrepancy In years.
and it was thus especially fitting that
| me younger man should pay .he final
tribute to his old friend. Hymns were
sung at the service by Mrs. w. C. Starr
I'D her daughter Mrs. /. G. Alexan-
der who sang Mr.. Thomas favorite
t.or1an We leather at the River" as
we'll as Lead Kindly Light, and Beau
tifuI Isle of Somewhere. The mem
bers on The John Ball Marsh Posi- at
tended the service in body and paid
their respects to the memory of Com
rade Thomas who was one of the char
TEL members of the Post. The pail
bearers were H. M. Hitchcock, H. A.
Baldwin, W. G. Starr, Marion johnson,
w. p. Tenney and HI. G.. Schmahf. In
terment was made in the Redwood
Falls cemetery. Flowers were sent
most generously by the friends of the
family and were exceptionally beaJti-
lIul. The Rebecca ladies and the No
mems Relief Corps sent beautiful flor
al tributes and The local members Of
the Grand Army of the Republic pre-
scented large silk flag which was
lplaced on the hreast Of the man who
had fought for it in his young man
hood.
John Henry Thomas was born at
Exicer Maine, May 1, 1888 and was
eighty-six years old at the time of his
death During his early youth and
young manhood he travelled extensive
] ly throughout the south and west and
was fond Of relating interesting e1-
periences which he had gained through
/ his travels. He served as regimencal
blacksmith in the Civil War, being a
member of Company / of the Third
Minnesota Volunteers April 1, 1855
ne came to Redwood Falls where he
ibade his home until his death. In
March of 1870 he was married 20 Miss
Hannah Longbottom of Redwood Falls
and to them was born one son, j. w.
Thomas who, with his mother, survives
i the ia. hers death Had Mr.. Thomas
lived until next March he and his wife
would have celebrated their semi-cen-
.enalal wedding anniversary. Mr..
Thomas worked at his trade as black
smith for many years and was one of
Al Lo1~ ri "
growth and development of the city OF
Redwood Falls.
To many of the younger people of
Redwood Falls John Thomas was lit
tile known because, for .he past several
4 years, he had taken no active part IN
public lifa and had been seen infre-
! quently about the town. But to those
who did know him and especially to
the older people who came here many
years ago he was man to respect and
admire for his cleanliness of life, his
Integrity and the kindness which
makes his memory very precious
possession of the bereaved wife and
son. To these bereaved ones the peo-
pie of the community extend shelr
most SINGERS sympathy The bereave-
ment is especially felt by Mrs. Thorn
as and her son as the three had never
1baen separated for more than a shors
time and their lives had been very
iclosely knit. During the past months
of the fathers infirmity and the mo-
hers i'll health this bond has been
greatly strengthened by the tender
and solicitors care of the son, and the
severing of the tie has brought
great feeling of loss to the remaining
members of the family.