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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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H.
A. Thomas Among
the many German citizens who have come to Jasper County to make their homes and
their fortunes, and there have been quite a goodly number, we find none who
seems to have led a more consistent life or been truer to the trusts reposed in
him than H. A. Thomas, well known hotel proprietor of Colfax, for his motto has
been to live and let live, and he has, while advancing his own interests, not
been neglectful of the interests of those about him. For these happy qualities
he has won the esteem of all who know him and today highly regarded by a wide
circle of acquaintances among the traveling public and local citizens. Mr.
Thomas was born in Silesia, Germany, on July 20, 1857.
He is the son of Henry and Augusta (Skobel) Thomas, both natives of
Germany, where they grew up, were educated and married and there they spent
their lives on a farm, both being now deceased.
Their family consisted of thirteen children, only two of whom ever came
to America, the one besides the subject being Robert Thomas, who lived in
Davenport, Iowa, for ten years, but who now makes his home with the subject in
Colfax. H.
A. Thomas was reared and educated in the fatherland, taking a course in the
gymnasium, consequently he has always been robust and enjoyed excellent health.
In his youth he took up farming there for himself, which continued until
1882, when he came to America, believing that here were to be found greater
opportunities. After remaining in
New York City five days, he came on to the Middle West and located in Jasper
County, Iowa, and he engaged in farm work for some time, then turned his
attention to the hotel business which he has followed for a period of
twenty-eight years, having taken a position as night clerk at the Mason House in
Colfax in 1883. He remained in that capacity, at intervals, for about four
years, then in July 1890, he became day clerk.
Upon the death of the proprietor, Mr. Croft, in 1900 he assisted Mrs.
Croft in management of the hotel until her death, in February 1907, when he
became proprietor, Mrs. Croft having willed the hotel to Mr. Thomas in
appreciation of his faithful services. He
is managing the Mason House in a most satisfactory manner and is extending its
prestige among the traveling public, which has long since shown its appreciation
of the good management and courteous and considerate treatment always to be
found here.
Politically,
Mr. Thomas is a Republican, and in his fraternal relations he belongs to the
Masonic blue lodge, the chapter and the Commandery, also the Ancient Arabic
Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He
is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and he stands high in lodge circles. Mr.
Thomas was married in May 1891, to Mary E. Wharton, a native of Iowa, and to
this union four children were born, three of whom died in infancy; Henry Thomas,
Jr. is living at home. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 669. |
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