History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 143 - 144

GEORGE E. THOMAS

It must be gratifying to a man who has advanced beyond the meridian of a well spent life to look back and contemplate the good work which, by patient industry and unremitting toil, he has accomplished. The men who, "back in the sixties," in the bloom of youth, settled in the forests of Michigan, are now on the shady side of life. Many of them still live on the farms which by their labors have taken the place of the forests. Much of the work which the change necessitated was performed by their own hands. They have not made as much stir, strife or tumult in the world as some others, but the world is far better for their modest efforts than it is for the blatant zeal of some who believe themselves entitled to the laurel wreath of fame. George E. Thomas, the subject of this review, is one of those who devoted his early manhood to the subjugation of a Michigan forest with a degree of success that must be very pleasing to him in his mature years. He is a native of Ohio, born in Lorain county, Columbia township, August 30, 1848. His parents were Noah C. and Thuseba (Bigelow) Thomas, he being a native of New York, while Ohio was her native state. He was by profession a veterinary surgeon, but, seldom having all that he could do in that line, devoted much of his time to carpentering, in which calling he was very skillful. In 1851 they came with their family to Michigan, located in Thornapple township, Barry county, upon a tract of land which was chiefly forest, when they first took possession of it, but which within a few years was converted into a fertile farm. There they continued to reside until visited by death, each expiring when only forty-eight years of age. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third child born to them. When his parents moved to Michigan George E. Thomas was only three years old, hence his residence in the state covers a period of more than half a century. He was reared and grew to manhood in Barry county, receiving as liberal an education as the common schools of the time afforded. He remained a member of the parental household until his twentieth year, when, finding one whom he felt would make him a suitable companion with whom to tread life's rugged journey, he determined to marry. Accordingly, January 8, 1868, Mr. Thomas was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Ann Briggs, a native of Ohio, born in October, 1847. Her parents were Sherman and Ellen (Vietz) Briggs, he being a native of the state of New York, and she of Pennsylvania. Of their family of eight children, Mrs. Thomas was the second. Young as he was at the time of his marriage, George E. Thomas was the owner of a nice farm in Thornapple township. To this place he brought his bride, establishing themselves at housekeeping in a comfortable, little home upon the place and there they continued to reside until 1881, when they moved to Wexford county, locating on a tract of land in Colfax township, where they have since resided. At first he owned but forty acres, which he purchased before moving to the county, but he has since added to this until he is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres. Of this one hundred and sixty-five acres is comprised in one tract located in Colfax township, the other twenty-five acres being detached and located in Cedar Creek township. The place is splendidly improved, he having recently erected good farm buildings of all kinds, including a neat, comfortable residence. There are eighty acres of the home place in Colfax township improved and under cultivation. In all matters relating to the welfare of the township Mr. Thomas takes commendable interest. He has served as township treasurer and being interested in education is generally one of the members of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are firm believers in religion, its practices and the important work which it does in ameliorating the condition of mankind. Hence from their substance they give freely to the cause of Christianity and charity. In addition to his rural possessions, Mr. Thomas also owns considerable property in Manton. Each season since coming to Wexford county, now (1903) twenty-two years, he has been in the employ of the Champion Agricultural Implement Company and has sold for them many thousands of dollars worth of machinery. He is not only a successful and progressive farmer, but a thorough business man, whose character for moral worth and strict integrity is well established by the commercial transactions of years. He is a member of Lodge No. 347, Free and Accepted Masons, of Manton.