Ephraim Dorous Thomas was born at or near Trilla, Illinois, USA on July 1, 1861, the 3rd child of George and Fannie Hays (Bresee) Thomas. At the time of his birth, he had two half-siblings: Sarah Marinda and James Michael Bresee, both born in Cumberland County, Illinois. He also shared the household with two brothers: Charles Henry and William Franklin Thomas, who were both born at or near Trilla, Illinois.

TRILLA is primarily an unincorporated town in Pleasant Grove Township, Coles County, Illinois, USA. However, a portion of TRILLA extends into Cumberland County, Illinois.

His father, George Thomas died March 15, 1865 in Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina, as a result of his confinement at the Florence Stockade during the Civil War.

The 1870 U.S. Federal Census places Ephraim D T T Thomas [abt age 9] in Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois with his mother, Fannie Thomas, along with siblings: Charles H. and William Thomas.

The 1880 U.S. Federal Census tells us his mother has remarried to John Fickes. Ephraim is listed on the census as Thomas E.D. Fickes [abt age 19] and is the only child still living in his step-father's home; he is working as a farmer. The family is living in Pleasant Grove Township, Coles County, Illinois. His father's birthplace is Indiana and his mother's birthplace is Ohio.

Funeral Book of Millie Sarah Simons Thomas - New Years' Day, January 1, 1882, Millie Sarah Simons was united in marriage to Ephraim Dorous Thomas. The Rev. A.B. [Allard Belin] Simons, father of Millie, performed the marriage ceremony in their home at Okolona, Mississippi, USA.

Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925
Name: E D Thomas
Census Date: 1 Mar 1895 - Residence County: Cherokee - Residence State: Kansas
Locality: Baxter Springs
Birth Place: Illinois
Family Number: 1 - Gender: Male - Age: 33 - Birth Year: abt 1862 - Race: White
Household Members: E D Thomas, M S Thomas, Fannie A. Thomas, Walter C. Thomas, Jas F. Thomas, Lillie V. Thomas, Roy Thomas, Emma [Marinda] Thomas, and Orie [Nellie] Thomas.

MOVED TO TRILLA, COLES, ILLINOIS, USA
Mattoon Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 13 Nov 1896, Fri. Page 3 - TRILLA, Dora Thomas and family from Kansas have moved here."

The 1900 U.S. Federal Census places Ephraim Thomas [abt age 39] in Mattoon, Coles, Illinois at 704 Edgar Avenue with his wife, Millie Thomas, along with nine of their children: Fannie, Walter, Frank, Tillie [Lillie], Roy [Charles], Mamida [Marinda], Nellie, Claudia, and Blaine [George] Thomas, who was three months old. Ephraim was working as a farm laborer to support his family. Ephraim and Millie have now been married for 19 years. We again learn that his father was born in Indiana.

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: E D Thomas
Residence Year: 1902 - Street Address: 702 South 21st
Residence Place: Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Occupation: Works at the poultry house
Publication Title: Mattoon, Illinois, City Directory, 1902

DEATH OF DAUGHTER - EMMA MARINDA (Minnie) THOMAS
Carbondale Free Press (Carbondale, Illinois) 26 Aug 1905, Sat. Page 3

"Miss Minnie Thomas, aged 12 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, who reside on the Thompson place, a half mile south of the normal, died last night after a week's illness with typhoid fever. Her condition has been serious, but the death was quite unexpected. Funeral services were held today."

REUNION FOR MRS. FICKES (mother of E. D. Thomas)
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) Thu. Nov. 30, 1905, Page 1 - "Forty Children and Grandchildren Gather At Bresee Home Today

RESIDENT MANY YEARS - Came to Coles County Over Sixty-Eight Years Ago and Is Yet Hale and Hearty --At the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bresee, 817 South Seventeenth Street, at noon today, were gathered forty-two of the children and grandchildren of Mrs. Fannie Fickes, the venerable mother of Mr. Bresee. The occasion was a family reunion given in honor of the aged lady, and the principal feature of the affair was the dinner which was partaken of at 12 o'clock. Although over 80 years old, Mrs. Fickes is hale and strong, and bids fair to live yet many years.

There were five children present, together with their families, as follows: J. M. Brese, Mattoon; Mrs. S. O. Beals, Trilla; Charles Thomas, Alva, Okla.; E. D. Thomas and William Thomas, Mattoon. Among those present from a distance were: A. N and Clarence Beals and their families of Trilla and E. S. Brown and family of Charleston. Aside from those seated around the festive board today, Mrs. Fickes has about twenty other direct descendants, making all told about sixty.

MANY YEARS A RESIDENT - Mrs. Fickes has been a resident of Coles County perhaps as long as any other citizen now living within its borders. She came here nearly sixty-nine years ago and since that time has never lived elsewhere. She was born in Ohio, remaining however, in that state only a few years. For the past several years, Mrs. Fickes has been making her home with her granddaughter, Mrs. Frank Copeland, 1812 Lefayette Avenue, this city."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 17 May 1909, Mon. Page 7

"Dory Thomas and son of Mattoon came Tuesday to do some improving on the property (at Trilla) of his mother, Mrs. Fannie Fickes."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 13 Sep 1909, Mon. Page 6

"SIXTY-FOURTH ANNIVERSARY - A surprise birthday dinner was given Sunday at the home of Mrs. Martna Beals, 3113 Marion Avenue, in honor of her sixty-fourth birthday anniversary. ... The guests were .. Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, .. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thomas, .. Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas, .. Nellie Thomas, .. Claudia Thomas, .. Lillie Thomas, .. Blaine Thomas, Clark Thomas, .. Arthur Thomas and ..."

The 1910 U.S. Federal Census shows Ephram D. Thomas [abt age 48] living at 812 North 22nd Street, in a rented house, in Mattoon Ward 6, Coles County, Illinois with his wife, Millie S. Thomas. There are seven children in the household: Lilly V., Roy E. [Charles], Nellie H., Claudie O., Belin G. [George], Clark A. [Adelbert], and Arthur N. Thomas. The census confirms his father was born in Indiana and his mother in Ohio. Ephraim and Millie have been married for 28 years, he is able to read and write, and he is working as a day laborer to support the family.

DEATH OF BROTHER - WILLIAM THOMAS
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 13 Jan 1913, Mon. Page 1

"BRIGHT'S DISEASE IS FATAL TO W. THOMAS - William Thomas, aged fifty-six years, died this morning shortly before eight o'clock at his home, 212 N. 21st Street. Death was due to Bright's Disease and came after an illness of more than a year's duration, he having been bedfast for several months. ....

In addition to the widow and his son, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Fannie Fickes of Trilla, ..; two brothers, Charles Thomas of Blairstown, Mo., and Dorous Thomas of Wadsworth, Texas; a half brother, J. M. Bresee of this city, and a half sister, Mrs. S. O. Beals of Trilla. Mr. Thomas always lived in Cumberland and Coles counties. ..."

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 7 Jun 1919, Sat. Page 6

"DINNER GUESTS - Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Copeland entertained a few relatives at dinner on Thursday evening in honor of Charles B. Thomas, brother of Mrs. Copeland, who has just returned home from overseas. He was in the army of occupation just before sailing for home. He was in the St. Mihiel drive, the Envenzue sector and the Argonne offensive of October 19 until the signing of the armistice. He was connected with the medical department of the 314th Engineers.

Charles B. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. William French and children, Miss Catherine Culver, Miss May McKenzie, Clark Thomas, B. Thomas and Arthur Thomas were the guests."

The 1920 U.S. Federal Census finds Ephraim Thomas [abt age 58] living at 1105 Richmond in Mattoon Ward 1, Coles County, Illinois, in a rented house, with his wife, Mattie [Millie]. There are four children living in the household: Charles Byron Leroy, George, Clyde [Adelbert Clark], and Arthur Thomas. The census confirms his mother's birthplace as Ohio.

41ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - FAMILY REUNION
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 2 Jan 1923, Tue. Page 6

"FAMILY REUNION - Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, 1105 Richmond Avenue, entertained on New Year's Day in honor of their forty-first wedding anniversary. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Copeland, Norval Thomas, Misses Effie and Sarah Copeland and Richard and Kenneth Copeland. The out of town guests were W. C. Thomas of Marion and Clark Thomas of Chanute Field."

MARRIAGE OF SON: George Thomas to Miss Bertha Alberta Reese
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 15 Oct 1923, Mon. Page 8

"THOMAS-REESE - George Thomas and Miss Bertha Alberta Reese were married on Sunday evening at 6:30 o'clock at the home of the bride's aunt, Mrs. Cleves Layton, 1608 Edgar Avenue. Rev. J. M. Lively officiated in the presence of a number of relatives and friends, the attendants being Miss Gladys Maxedon and Arthur Thomas, the latter a brother of the groom. Little Miss Evelyn Layton was the flower girl and carried the ring which was used in the ceremony.

Refreshments were served, after which the young couple went to the home of the groom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, 1105 Richmond Avenue, where they will reside.

The young man is an employee of the Illinois Central. His bride for some time has made her home with her aunt, Mrs. Layton."

BIRTHDAY OF MRS. E. D. THOMAS (MILLIE SARAH SIMONS)
Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 10 Dec 1923, Mon. Page 10

"BIRTHDAY DINNER - Sunday being the birthday anniversary of Mrs. E. D. Thomas, she was given a surprise in the morning by a number of relatives, who gathered at her home, 1105 Richmond Avenue, to spend the day with her. Dinner was prepared for the noon hour, the rest of the time being enjoyed in visiting. Mrs. Thomas was showered with many pretty gifts.

Those present were Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. William French and children, Mr. and Mrs. G. B Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bresee, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thomas, Miss Gladys Maxedon, Miss Minnie Bresee and Arthur Thomas. Rodney Copeland of Neoga was an out-of-town guest."

Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947
Name: Ephraim Dorus Thomas - Birth Date: 1 Jul 1861 - Birth Place: Coles Co., Illinois
Death Date: 4 Feb 1926 - Death Place: Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois
Burial Date: 6 Feb 1926 - Cemetery Name: Dodge Grove Cemetery
Death Age: 64 - Occupation: Gardner - Race: White - Marital Status: Married
Gender: Male - Residence: Mattoon, Illinois
Father Name: George Thomas - Father Birth Place: Crawford County, Indiana
Mother Name: Fanny Hayes - Mother Birth Place: Cincinnati, Ohio - Spouse Name: Sarah Thomas - FHL Film Number: 1613170

DEATH CERTIFICATE

Full Name: Ephraim Dorus Thomas - Place of Death: Neoga, Cumberland, Illinois
Wife: Sarah Thomas
Date of Birth: July 1, 1861 - Occupation: Gardner - Birth Place: Coles County, Illinois
Name of Father: George Thomas - Birthplace of Father: Crawford County, Indiana
Maiden Name of Mother: Fanny Hayes - Birthplace of Mother: Cincinnati, Ohio
Informant: Fannie Copeland [daughter] of Mattoon, Illinois
Date of Death: February 4, 1926 at 11 p.m.
Cause of Death: Myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle), Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the artery) and Diabeties.
Place of Burial: Dodge Grove Cemetery - Date of Burial: February 6, 1926

Journal Gazette (Mattoon, Illinois) 5 Feb 1926, Fri. Page 1

"MATTOON MAN DIES AT DAUGHTER'S HOME

E. D. Thomas, living at 1105 Richmond Avenue, died at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Copeland, three miles east of Neoga, at 11:15 o'clock Thursday morning. He had been in poor health for about five or six years from liver and stomach trouble. Six weeks ago he was in Memorial hospital, in this city, but was able to return to his home. There he improved so that in a short time he was taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Copeland. He took suddenly ill Thursday morning and lived about an hour.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Copeland home on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. H. G. Beck of this city to officiate. Burial will be in Dodge Grove cemetery.

Mr. Thomas was born on July 1, 1861, in Coles County. He grew to manhood here and then went to Oklahoma, where he resided for some time. Later he went to Missouri, and about eight years ago came to Mattoon to reside. On January 1, 1882, he married Miss Sarah Simons of Mississippi. He had engaged in farming all his life. Early in boyhood he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church, later uniting with the Methodist church.

There survive besides the wife, ten children, Walter Thomas, Neosha, Mo.; Frank Thomas, Indianapolis; Roy Thomas, Marion, Ind.; Mrs. John McLain, Harrisburg, Ore.; Mrs. Z. Butter, Wadsworth, Texas; Clark Thomas, Chicago; Blain Thomas, Mattoon; Mrs. William French, Mattoon; Arthur Thomas, Rantoul, and Mrs. Frank Copeland, near Neoga. There also survive one brother, Charles Thomas, Blairstown, Mo., and a half brother, J. M. Bresee, of Mattoon."