"The BIOGRAPHICAL History of Clark County, Wisconsin"

Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, Chicago and Winona, H. C. Cooper Jr., & Co. in 1918

M. C. THOMAS, a farmer and dairyman of Washburn Township, who has also served as a township official, was born on a farm near the village of Columbus, in Columbia County, Wis., son of C. H. and Martha (Loveless) Thomas. The father, a son of Merritt Thomas, was a veterinary surgeon, as was also Merritt, and they came together from New York State, settling in Columbia County, Wis., where C. H. Thomas has resided for the last fifty years. In the Civil War he was attached to the army as a "mule whacker," his principal business being to pick up and remove the wounded from the field of battle. M. C. Thomas remained with his father until he was 22 years old. He followed various occupations in Columbia County, until the year 1900, when he went to Waterloo, Wis., where he bought a meat market, conducting it for a year. He then sold out and went to Deerfield, Wis., where he followed the same business for six months. After that he worked four months as a butcher in Madison, this state. Going from that city to Hermansville, Mich., he there went to work for the Wisconsin Land and Lumber Company, remaining eighteen months.

He then returned to his home at Columbus, where he was married, Mar. 19, 1902, to Helen Hoton, who was born in that county, Jan. 11, 1861, her father, James Hoton, being a farmer. After remaining six months in Columbus, Mr. Thomas came with his wife to Washburn Township, Clark County, and being now tired of wandering, bought eight acres of land, constituting his present farm in Section 10. Here he is engaged in dairying and general farming, and has recently built a barn, 58 by 34 feet in dimensions and an eighty-ton silo.

He is also president of the cheese factory at Shortville and has an interest in the elevator at Neillsville. Since coming to Washburn Township he has closely identified himself with its interests. He served as assessor for seven years and is thoroughly familiar with the growth and development of the township, of which he is one of the best known citizens. He has also served as auctioneer in Clark County for seven years. He and his wife are both members of the Mystic Workers of the World, he belonging to the Modern Woodmen of America.