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Thomas, Viola

Source 018 – Postcard by Viola Thomas

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Author: Viola Thomas of Wallin, TX
Title: Letter to “Mother” Mrs. CR Thomas [Iva M. (Cooper) Thomas]
Date: 22 April 1929
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: Viola is Iva’s step-daughter, Charles R. Thomas’ first child

22 April 1929
Mrs CR Thomas
Springdale, Ark.

Dear Mother [Iva]: What is the matter. I don’t here from you. Have written to you. Are you all dead from the storms that swept Ark. We have been having some bad storms and plenty rain here. Clifford and i has the Hoopin cough here we have had a time with it. Clifford is coughing his hardest now. Charly as planting cotton this morning. Must close and wash breakfast dishes. Love – Viola

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.

Source 107 – Estate and Guardianship Letter by George E. Nichols

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Author: George E. Nichols
Title: Letter to Charles R. Thomas of Ellsworth, MI, regarding Estate and Guardianship of Viola
Date: 07 May 1915
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Mr. Charles R. Thomas, Ellsworth, Mich.

Dear Charlie:

The Probate Court on April 23rd, allowed your account as Administrator of your wife’s estate; also appointed you Guardian of your daughter, Viola, and to close your wife’s estate and get your discharge, I am enclosing two receipts, which you will sign, one as Guardian of Viola, and the other for yourself individually; and then to get the matter still further in shape, I am enclosing inventory of the amount of money you have to account for as Viola’s guardian. You want to go before a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace and swear to this and send that back also with the other papers. Then I m sending you herewith statement which you want to retain, showing that $1170.45 is in my hands subject to call. When you get ready to square up and take a deed of the property, I believe the Probate Court will permit you to use this money and give a mortgage upon the land to your ward or fix it so you may have the benefit of this money to apply upon the liabilities or the amount due on the farm and personal property. I may come up this month or the first of June, I want to go fishing, if I can and should think it would be a pretty good place up there. I hope your foot is better and that the wife and baby [Helen J. Thomas] are coming O.K. Let me hear from you as soon as convenient. Yours truly, George E. Nichols.

Source 106 – Letter of Guardianship for Viola Thomas by Judge of Probate

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Author: Judge of Probate
Title: State of Michigan – Probate Court for the County of Kent, Letters of Guardianship
Date: 20 April 1915
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

In the Matter of the Estate of Viola Thomas, Minor. to Charles R. Thomas of the Township of South Arm, Charlevoix County, Greeting: You have been appointed guardian of said ward, and having given a bond in the premises which has been duly approved and filed as required by law, I do by these presents commit unto you full power and authority to ask, sue for, recover, receive and take into your custody, all and singular, the real estate, goods and chattels, rights and credits which accrue to said ward… in right of inheritance, or which by any other way or means whatsoever doth of right appertain or belong to said ward; and you are to make a true and perfect inventory thereof, and return the same unto said court on or before the 20th day of May next ensuing; hereby requiring you to dispose of, manage, employ and improve the same according to law, and for the best interest of said ward; and within one year from the date hereof, and at least once in each year thereafter during the continuance of your guardianship, and at such other time as the judge of probate shall direct, to render on oath to said court a true account of the property os said ward in your hands, including the proceeds of all the real estate that may be sold by you , and of the management and disposition of such property; and at the expiration of your trust to settle your accounts with said judge of probate, or with said ward or her legal representatives; and to pay over and deliver all the estate and effects remaining in your hands, and due from you on such settlement, to the person or persons who shall be lawfully entitled thereto, and to perform all orders and decrees of said court by you to be performed in the premises.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at the city of Grand Rapids, in said county, this 20th day of April A.D. 1915.
… – Judge of Probate

Source 105 – Guardianship for Viola Thomas, Charles Thomas v Eva Gillons

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Record: Guardianship of Viola Thomas
Date: 02 April 1915 [one week before the birth of Helen J. Thomas]
Party 1: Charles R. Thomas of Ellsworth, MI
Party 2: Eva Gillons of Dorr Center, MI

State of Michigan – The Circuit Court of the County of:
Nichols, Shaw & Whitney
419-420 Houseman Building
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Articles of Agreement made and entered into this second day of April A.D. 1915, between Charles R. Thomas of Ellsworth, Michigan, of the first part, and Eva Gillons, of Dorr Center, Michigan, of the second part.

WITNESSETH, Whereas, the said Charles R. Thomas is the father of Viola Thomas, a minor of the age of seven years, and

Whereas, the said Charles R. Thomas has filed a petition in the Probate Court for the County of Kent asking to be appointed guardian of said minor, and
Whereas, the said Eva Gillons has had the care and custody of said minor from April 3, 1908 [date of death of Alta A. Brown-Thomas, Viola’s mother], until the present time and has become greatly attached to said minor, and desires to have the care and custody of said minor.

Therefore, it is mutually agreed as follows:
(1) That the said Eva Gillons hereby consents that the said Charles R. Thomas be appointed guardian of said minor and not to make any objection thereto.
(2) That the said Charles R. Thomas as the guardian of said minor agrees that the said Eva Gillons may have the care and custody of said minor for at least three months out of each and every year hereafter until said minor reaches the age of fourteen years.

(3) That while said minor is under the care and custody of said Charles R. Thomas he is to bear the entire expense for the clothing and education of said minor; and that while said minor is under the care and custody of said Eva Gillons, the said Eva Gillons is to bear the entire expense for the clothing and education of said minor.

IN WITNESS whereof said parties have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written.

Witnesses: A. Shane, Nellie M. Taylor, C.R. Thomas, Eva Gillons