Title: Obituary for Charles R. Thomas
Date: 25 May 1957
Locality: Grand Rapids, MI
Curator: Christine Fisher
Detail: Grand Rapids Newspaper?
Memorial Obituary – May 25, 1957
C.R. Thomas Passes at 93. Death Ends Colorful, Varied Career
Charles R. Thomas, 93, formerly of 878 Sixtieth St. SE, a former circus roustabout, Indian scout, and lumberman, died Friday in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martin Hoorn, 881 Sixty-first St. SE, after a short illness.
Mr. Thomas was born in Byron Center. He left the family farm in North Dorr when he was 18 to join P.T. Barnum’s circus which was playing in Kalamazoo. Later he did lumbering in Minnesota and Michigan, working as a logger, lumberjack, and timber cruiser. He also spent several years as an Indian scout in northern Minnesota and the Dakotas.
Operated Cattle Farm. After the turn of the century, he married and bought a cattle farm near East Jordan. In 1921, he and his wife, Iva, and their children moved south because of Mrs. Thomas’ health. He bacme active in the cattle business in Tennessee and Texas.
They returned to Grand Rapids in 1931. Mr. Thomas was employed by a local contractor, but retired two years later. His wife died in 1947.
Mr. Thomas lived alone at his Sixtieth St. address until his house burned down about two months ago. He then moved in with Mrs. Hoorn.
Surviving besides Mrs. Hoorn are three other daughters, Mrs. Harry Hine of Cadillac [Viola], Mrs. Margaret Thomas of Lapeer, and Mrs. James St. Arno of Port Huron; a son, Robert W. of St. Clair Shores; two sisters, Mrs. James Swartz of Dorr and Mrs. Eva Gillons of Arcadia, Wis.; a brother, Dan of Grand Rapids; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Monday in the Metcalf Chapel. Burial will be in Winegar Cemetery near Dorr.