Colorado Springs, Editor NEWS, April 21, 1899
Will you please publish the following sketch of the sickness and death of J. L. Thomas, although some weeks have passed unavoidably. We desire that our many friends in Wayne county should learn some of the particulars regarding his last days: For the last six months he had been having lung chills, then about the 20th of January he was seized with the grip which caused him to decline very rapidly. Although he had rallied through so many serious sick spells, we could not help thinking that it would be very doubtful if he lived through this one, he seemed so feeble. We could not realize that the end was so near, as he still got up and dressed with some assistance every day, and walked from the bed to his chair three or four times during the forenoon of the day he died. He often spoke of the weariness of waiting for the summons, yet with much patience he bore his afflictions ever trusting in Jesus until the call came, then he peacefully passed away to be at rest forever. Mr. Thomas was born in Ross county, Ohio, July 31, 1821, died, March 23, 1899. In 1843 he was married to Miss Susan M. Buckworth with whom he lived sixteen years, and who bore him five children, four of them are living. In January, 1860 he was married to Miss Louisa A. Van Buskirk of Putman county, Mo., to this union were born six children two of them with the widowed mother survive him. Of his nearly four score-years more than fifty were spent as a consistent member of the M.E. [Methodist Episcopal] Church, many of them as exhorter and class leader. The Rev. Dr. Allen, his pastor, conducted the funeral services. Interment was in Evergreen cemetery, by his request.
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John's children by Susan Mary BUCKWORTH Thomas:
Ellen E., Mary Amanda, America "Amelia", Alexander, & Susan Elizabeth "Eliza"
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John's children by Louisa Ann VAN BUSKIRK Thomas:
Laura Luella, Sarah Isabelle "Belle", Olive Jeannette "Nettie", Ira "Adrian", Florence "Alma", Meade Austin
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John's parents:
William Thomas b. June 18, 1782 VA
Elizabeth PRICE Thomas b. abt 1784 VA

William & Elizabeth's children:
1) Lee "William" Thomas b. May 7, 1819 VA
2) John L. Thomas b. Jul. 31, 1821 OH
3) Lucinda "Nancy" THOMAS Putman b. Oct. 22, 1823 OH
4) Moses Thomas b. 1826 Ross Co., OH
5) Aaron Thomas b. 1828 Ross Co., OH
6) Elizabeth Thomas b. 1830 Ross Co., OH
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John's father William Thomas &
William's 2nd wife: Sarah WHITE Thomas
b. 1796 KY m. Dec. 31, 1830 Ross Co, OH

William & Sarah's children:
1) Stephen Thomas b. 1832
2) Benjamin Thomas b. 1833 OH
3) Rhoda A. Thomas b. 1835
4) Sarah Thomas b. 1837
5) Rebecca Thomas b. 1839