Thomas - Silas A. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 14 January 1898 p 10

Silas A. Thomas died at his residence Wednesday Jan. 5, 1898, aged 79 years 3 months and 23 days. He had been in declining health some time and his death was not unexpected indeed he had been desiring and praying to be released, to depart and be at rest. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, September 2, 1818. He was of German descent. His father, Samuel Thomas, came from Kentucky to Ohio at the age of 15 years. His mother, Elizabeth Gerhart, came to Ohio from Virginia, at the age of 10 years with her parents. They were married in 1815 and were well acquainted with pioneer life and were devoted Christian people. Silas was the oldest of a family of six children, four of whom are still living, all haying lived to a good age. He was married to Martha Jane Gregory, Nov. 8, 1849. They lived in Ohio until the spring of 1856, when they came to this county and settled in Coal Creek township. His father-in-law. James Gregory, assisted him by way of some land but he and his wife made for themselves a comfortable borne only by hard toil and the strictest economy. To them were born two children while they lived in Ohio, James D., who survives him, and Mary E. Hormell, deceased in 1890. His wife died, July 2, 1896.  

Mr. Thomas was always a moral man, but at the age of 24 years he was converted in the act of publicly confessing his Saviour at a little prayer meeting in a log house. From that day to the day of his death he never doubted his conversion, and the prayer meetings his chief delight. He joined the Christian church a month after his conversion and lived a religious life. A religious life to him meant a devoted, consecrated Christian life: a life of daily prayer and upright living. Before he came from Ohio he assisted largely in building a church house on his father's farm and was ordained deacon. On removing here, he with his wife, united with Pleasant Hill Christian church, his wife having previously joined this church at the age of 13 years.

On the death of Deacon Samuel Hays he was elected to fill the vacancy in the deacon's office, and he has faithfully served the church, with his venerable colleague, Deacon George Westfall, until incapacitated by old age and feeble health. During the war Pleasant Hill suffered the loss of their church house by fire. Mr. Thomas was chairman of the building committee, and spared neither time nor means until the house was rebuilt. He faithfully attended all the services of the church, and often has the church been strengthened, his pastor encouraged and sinners warned by his earnest prayers and able exhortations. Neither was the sick neglected by him but he went far and near to visit them. Often has he been called at the hour of night to pray with the sick and talk with the dying. Probably no man ever lived in the community, who was not a minister, was asked to speak or offer prayer at funerals as was he. so full of sympathy and consolation were his words, and encouraging and uplifting bis prayers. His education was meager. While his father worked at the trade of a plasterer he assisted hi6 mother in the care of the family.

He always attributed his ability to speak and the warmth of his exhortations to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in which he was a firm believer. During the months of hi6 great affliction and suffering he wondered sometimes why the Lord wanted 60 long to call him home: and when the dying hour come he realized it and said that he felt that the Lord was very near to him. In politics he was a Republican, having first voted for Gen. W. H. Harrison and for each succeeding Republican nominee. His funeral was conducted at the old home church by his pastor, Rev. D. Powell, in the form of a memorial service, in which Jasper N. Beedle spoke of his official relation to the church Benjamin Rhodehamel spoke of him as a citizen and of his general religious work, and his nephew, James A. McClure. spoke of his family relation, after which Rev. Powell spoke briefly. The music was appropriate. A solo by Mrs. Palin, "Don't Forget the Old Folks," may especially be mentioned. He was laid to rest by the side of his wife in Pleasant Hill cemetery. - Kim H

Silas A. Thomas died at his residence, three miles northeast of town, on Tuesday night at 12 o’clock, aged 79 years, 3 months and 23 days. The funeral was held at the Pleasant Hill Christian Church on Thursday at 11 o’clock, conducted by the pastor, Elder D. Powell