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Sources Related to Charles Robert Thomas

The majority of these sources are original and in the archives of curator Christine Fisher. Any contributions you have are welcome.

Source 240 – Interment Records: Winegar Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MI

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Locality: Cemetery Headstones of Winegar Cemetery, Homrich Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 878-9104
URL:
Detail: 

  • Mary ? b 1828 Scotland; d October 1894 (Charles Thomas maternal grandmother)
  • David Irwin (Sr) b 1799 NY; d 03 March 1900 – age 101
  • Mary Irwin d. 19 October 1894 – age 66
  • George Smith Thomas (Sr) b 1827? NY; d 1915
  • Julia (Irwin) Thomas b 1837? MI; d 1912
  • Margaret Thomas b 19 July 1918; d. ? July 1986
  • Iva Mae Cooper Thomas b 1883 Lawrence, Van Buren Co., MI; d 09 April 1945
  • Charles R. Thomas b 1863 Byron Center, Kent Co, MI; d 24 May 1957
  • Alta A. Brown b 27 May 1888 Wyoming Twp, Kent Co., MI; d 03 April 1908

Source 233 – Obituary – Charles R. Thomas

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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.

Source 110 – Memo of Agreement for Charles Thomas v George Nichols

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Record: Memorandum of Agreement
Date: undated
Party 1: Charles R. Thomas of South Arm Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan
Party 2: George E. Nichols of Ionia, Michigan.

Memorandum of Agreement made between Charles R. Thomas of South Arm Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan, and George E. Nichols of Ionia, Michigan.

Whereas, first party is desirous of purchasing some cows to be used upon the farm now occupied by him which he holds under a contract of purchase with second party, located in the said Township of South Arm, and desires to borrow of the National Bank of Ionia, Michigan, the sum of Six Hundred ($600) dollars, upon the endorsement of second party.

Therefore, it is agreed, that the title to all such cows or stock shall be and remain in said George E. Nichols under the terms of this agreement, the same as the other stock and personal property upon said farm under the contract of purchase heretofore entered into between said parties; and that title to said stock so purchased shall not pass to first party until the money so borrowed of said National Bank is fully paid and then said stock shall be and remain as all of the other stock upon said premises, subject to all of the terms and conditions of said contract of purchase.
(signed: Charles Thomas)

Source 115 – Interview with Dorothy Thomas

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Interviewed by: Christine Fisher
Person Interviewed: Dorothy (Thomas) St. Arno-Prevost-Robly
Date: March 2009

Alto A. Brown (Charles R. Thomas’ first wife) killed in buggy/train accident.

Viola (Thomas)
Eva Gillons (Charles R. Thomas’ sister) has a daughter named Margaret that was about the same age as Viola, so Eva took Viola to live with them when Alto A. (Brown) Thomas died in the accident. Viola was about age 14 or 16, she rebelled when the family moved to Texas.
Married WWI veteran who was shell-shocked.

George Thomas
Fought in Civil War
Went to East Coast then to study law
Returned to Grand Rapids and became a “judge”

Charles R. Thomas
Had “itchy feet”
Joined the circus when he was 14 years
Became a government scout; knew many indian chiefs
Camped with Buffalo Bill in Montana and Idaho
Loved to have a good time – used to “clog”
Had three sisters: Nellie (Thomas) Taylor, Eva (Thomas) Gillons, Jane (Thomas)
Brothers: Scott (cancer)

Herbert Thomas (son of Charles and Iva)
Born in 1926 – about 4 years younger than Dorothy
Iva took care of him until near her death, at which time he was sent to a home. Iva died about two weeks after she put him in a home [1945 – he would have been almost 20 years old]. President Roosevelt died the day of her funeral.
Dorothy sent Christmas gift for years, then one year the gift was returned with no explanation.

Dorothy (Thomas) – 352.854.2704
Born: 10 June 1922 in Texas
Graduated from High School in East Jordan
Went to Western in Kalamazoo on a scholarship for one year to be a Home Ec teacher.
Stayed off-campus and worked 1 hour a day and on weekends for $.25/hour. Gave $1.50 a week to kitty for food.
Then she waitressed.
Started working at Butterworth and received a scholarship during the war – went to University of Detroit for 6 weeks for nursing school.

Margaret Thomas
Considered mentally retarded.
Lived at home for a long time.
Eventually put in care of state.
Lived in a home in Lapeer for years until it was closed.
Moved then to home in Bad Axe where she died in 1986.

Iva May (Cooper) Thomas
diabetic

Texas
Lived there for about 10 years

Source 080 – Personal Letter by J.D. Sentell

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Author: J.D. Sentell of Alvin, TX
Title: Letter of recommendation for C.R. Thomas [Charles R. Thomas]
Date: 22 February 1926
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

22 February 1926

Cash Grocery
J.D. Sentell, Prop.
Alvin, Texas
2-22-26
This is to certify that I have known Mr C.R. Thomas for several years and had quite a good deal of business with him and find him to be a man of his word and upright in all our dealing. Any favor you may show him will be appreciated by myself.
J.D. Sentell

Source 197 – Probate Court Guardianship of Viola Thomas

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State of Michigan, the Probate Court of the County of Kent
In the matter of the estate of Viola Thomas, minor. Final Report.

To the Probate Court for said county:
I, Charles R. Thomas, respectfully represent unto this Honorable Court that I am the duly qualified Guardian of said minor, and submit the following as the Final Report of my doings as such Guardian.

I further represent, that the property on hand May 7th, 1918, as will appear from my last account on file, is Ten Hundred Ninety-Six and 01/100 Dollars ($1096.01); that there have been no disbursements made, and that there is interest due from George Nichols on said amount, at the rate of fiver percent (5%) from May 7th, 1918, to date.

I further represent, that I have taken care of said minor for the last six years and that I deem that my services as Guardian, and expenses paid by me in her behalf for her care, support and education, are reasonably worth the sum of Two Hundred Fifty and no/100 Dollars ($250.00).

I therefore pray that this report be allowed as my final accounting in said estate, and that I be allowed the sum of Two Hundred Fifty and no/100 Dollars ($250.00) for my services, care, support and education of said minor, and that due notice on the hearing of this petition be given as required by law.

On this fifth day of September, A.D. 1919, before me, a Notary Public in and for said county, personally appeared Charles R. Thomas, who bein duly sworn says that he is the Guardian of said minor, and has read the foregoing report by him signed as such Guardian and knows the contents thereof, and that the same is true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.