Henry Thomas - The Great Great Grandpa!

Unfortunately I have not run across any old photos or stories of Henry Thomas... hopefully even a few stories still exist in the minds of people I haven't met yet.  So the only things I know about Henry Thomas are the records I have diligently tracked down for about 10 years now, and they are few.  Really this all began with trying to find him - some people search for Bobby Fischer.  I was searching for Henry Thomas.

Henry Thomas was born in McKee, Jackson County, Kentucky on Feb. 26, 1890.

The earliest record I have of Henry is from the 1900 census which incidentally was the 12th census of the United States.  He was 10 years old and living in Horse Lick, Jackson County, Kentucky.  He could read but not write.  He helped out on his father's farm.  He lived with his parents and his brother Harvey and he had 5 little sisters: Sarildy (probably after Mary Moore's mother, Sarilda Pennington), Lina (probably after Gelina Hundley), Maudy, Lucinda (probably after Lottie Robison's mother, Lucinda Stevenson Lewis), and Angeline.

1900 Census

By 1910, the family had moved to Casey Creek in Adair County.  By this point, Henry had learned to write, and he had even MORE sisters!  Bessie, Emma, Cora and Ella.  He also had a new baby brother, Jesse.

1910 Census

On June 5, 1917, Henry registered for the World War I drafts.  He was 27 years old and living in Speck, Adair County,  Kentucky.  He listed no previous military service and is described as short and stout with blue eyes and brown hair.

WWI Draft Registration

In 1920, we find Henry Thomas living in South Lebanon, Marion County, Kentucky with his wife Lottie Robinson and a small farm.  They have twin baby girls, Clora and Flora, and two sons: Sherman and Wayne (my grandfather).

1920 Census

Between 1920 and 1927, Henry had more daughters: Violet, Augusta, Inez, and Pauline.

Henry died at the young age of 37 in Spurlington, Taylor County, Kentucky of acute peritonitis and appendix abscess on December 12, 1927.  He was buried the next day at Union Ridge cemetery which is now called Spurlington United Methodist Church Cemetery, and I'll try to find his grave in August.

Death Certificate