Benjamin Thuma, reportedly a son of Eva Ann (née Wachs) and Johannes "John" Thuma, was born in 1829 in Frankford Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Along with his family, he migrated to Richland County, Ohio. John Thuma died reportedly in 1838. Eva Thuma's household was enumerated in 1840 in Richland County's Perry Township.

Benjamin Thuma and Elizabeth Ruhl were married on 28 November 1852 in Richland County. The couple—along with Elizabeth's parents and siblings—moved to Holt County, Missouri, before the couple's first child was born in 1856. The couple eventually became the parents of eight children, all born in Holt County.

Benjamin Thuma enrolled on 9 August 1862 in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, and was commissioned as a captain in Company C, 58th Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia (EMM). (These EMM units were formed for anti-guerrilla operations. Their part-time personnel were: called to duty for local emergencies, paid only when on duty, and not eligible for federal pensions.) The 58th Regiment was on active duty from August to September 1862, and from February to April 1863. Benjamin Thuma also was commissioned on 15 September 1865 as a captain, Company D, 32nd Regiment, Missouri Militia. After the war, he resided in Holt County until at least 1876.

Benjamin Thuma with his wife Elizabeth and family migrated to Pawnee County, Kansas, before 1880, and to Spokane County, Washington, before 1900. Elizabeth died in 1903 in Rockford, Spokane County.

In fall 1910, Benjamin Thuma relocated to Middletown, Canyon County, Idaho, where he died on 11 November 1910. He was 81.

Notes

Exact date of birth from unconfirmed sources. Frankford Township later divided into Lower Frankford and Upper Frankford.

1850 U.S. Census: not found. The 1856 Map of Richland County, Ohio, by Robert Pearsall Smith shows two Thuma farms in the NW quarter of Section 2, Perry Twp.

"I hereby certify that on the 28th day of November 1852, I joined in Matrimony Mr. Benjamin Thuma and Miss Elizabeth Ruhl, Ruben Evarts J P." ("Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-1994," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17790-58389-44?cc=1614804&wc=M94Q-2DZ:n1397479031 : accessed 14 Dec 2013), Richland Marriage records 1842-1854 vol 6.)

1860 U.S. Census, Nodaway Twp., Holt Co., Missouri; dwellings 185-186, families 185-186, lines 38-40 and 1, and lines 2-8, pp. 30-31 (written), 13 Jun 1860.
38. Benj'n. Thuma [head], 31, farmer ($1,400; $960), Penna.
39. Elizabeth -----, 28, Ohio.
40. Eva J. -----, 3, Mo [Missouri].
1. Unity A. Thuma, 1, Mo.
2. Levi Rule [head], 53, farmer ($5,400; $1,760), Penna.
3. George -----, 26, Ohio.
4. John -----, 21, Ohio.
5. Mary -----, 19, Ohio.
6. Caroline -----, 15, Ohio.
7. Catherine -----, 23, Va. [George's wife].
8. Levi F. -----, 6/12, Mo. [George's son].

Journal of the Senate of the State of Missouri (Jefferson City, Missouri: W. A. Curry, 1865), p. 492. (Service in the 58th Regiment; commissioned as captain of Company C on 3 Sep 1862.)

Annual Report of the Adjutant General of Missouri (Jefferson City, Missouri: Emory S. Foster, 1866), p. 660. (Service in the 32nd Regiment.)

"The enrollment and organization of the militia of this [Holt] county has been completed." Company D, 32nd Regiment, Missouri Militia: "Benjamin Thuma, Capttin." ("The Militia Organization," Holt County Sentinel, Oregon, Missouri, 25 Jan 1867, p. 4, col. 2.)

1870 U.S. Census, Clay Twp., Holt Co., Missouri; dwelling 134, family 130, lines 19-27, p. 123B (printed), p. 20 (written), 19 Jul 1870.
19. Thuma, Benjamin, farmer ($3,500; $1,500), Pennsylvania.
20. ----- Elizabeth, 37, keeping house, Ohio.
21. ----- Eva J., 13, Missouri.
22. ----- Unity A., 11, Missouri.
23. ----- John, 9, Missouri.
24. ----- "Alford," 7, Missouri.
25. ----- "Izzamia," 5, Missouri.
26. ----- William, 3, Missouri.
27. ----- Luella, 1, Missouri.

1876 Missouri state census, Twp. 61, Holt Co., p. 166 (printed).
453. Benj Thuma.
454. Eliz'h -----.
455. John -----.
456. Alford -----.
457. Wm -----.
458. Isabella -----.
459. Luellea -----.
460. Belle -----.

1880 U.S. Census, E.D. 368, Pawnee Twp., Pawnee Co., Kansas; dwelling 102, family 102, lines 20-27, p. 49B (printed), p. 12 (written), 14 Jun 1880.
20. Thuma, Benjamin, 50 [head], farmer; born in Pennsylvania, parents in Pa.
21. ----- Elizabeth, 48, wife, keeping house; born in Ohio, parents in Pa.
22. ----- John F., 19, son, at home, Missouri.
23. ----- Alfred, 17, son, at home, Missouri.
24. ----- Izzamira, 15, daughter, at home, Missouri.
25. ----- George W., 13, son, at home, Missouri.
26. ----- Nancy L., 11, daughter, at home, Missouri.
27. ----- Bell E., 8, daughter, at home, Missouri.

The Abilene Gazette, Abilene, Kansas, reported on 1 Nov 1888 that, in the case of Wm. Deering & Co. vs. Benjamin Thuma, the jury found in favor of the defendant.

1900 U.S. Census, E.D. 54, Fairfield Precinct, Spokane Co., Washington; dwelling 103, family 105, lines 64-67. p. 135B (printed), p. 5B (written), 11 Jun 1900.
64. Thuma, Levi Alford, head, Feb 1863, 37, single, Missouri, farmer (owns).
65. ----- Nancy Luella, sister, Mar 1869, 31, single, Missouri, housekeeper.
66. ----- Benjamin, father, Oct 1829, 70, married 48 years; born in Pennsylvania, parents in Pennsylvania.
67. ----- Elizabeth, mother, Dec 1833, 67, married 48 years, 2 children (both living) [sic ]; born in Ohio, father in Pennsylvania, mother in Ohio.

1910 U.S, Census, E.D. 139, Rock Creek Valley Twp., Spokane Co., Washington; dwelling 11, family 11, lines 38-40, p. 148 (printed), p. 16A (written), 15 Apr 1910.
38. Thuma, Levi A., head, 46, single, Missouri, farmer.
39. ----- Nancy L., sister, 40, single, Missouri, housekeeper.
40. ----- Benjamin, father, 80, widowed, Pennsylvania, retired farmer (veteran: yes).

Benjamin Thuma obit. in: "Passing of the Pioneers, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, 18 Nov 1910, p. 6. (11 Nov 1910 was a Friday.)

Reviewed 4 May 2022.