THOMAS, Elizabeth Ewing - Putnam

Elizabeth Jane, eldest daughter of George and Eliza Gregg Ewing was born Oct 5, 1842 and departed this life in Terre Haute Feb 5, 1921 age 78 years and four months.  Her parents moved to Clinton township, Putnam County when she was four years of age, and later they moved to Madison township where she grew to womanhood amid the wild surroundings so common to the first settlers of a new country. She received her early education in the subscription schools of that time, mostly under the tutelage of her father – one of the primitive teachers of primitive teachers of this county.  And at the age of 17 she herself became a teacher, and taught three terms a work she always enjoyed and she often commented on the fact that she prepared lunches for either pupils or teachers for more than 40 years. She united with the Christian Church at Long Branch this county in August of 1857 and was baptized by the Rev. Nathan Wright, a pioneer minister of more than local prominence.  Then later, after moving to Greencastle she had her membership transferred to the Christian Church here and ever remained a faithful member and was a constant attendant until her health failed her about a year ago.  On January 1st, 1863 she was united in marriage to William Thomas, a lifelong acquaintance and after almost 50 years of a happy wedded life he was called to his reward Oct 11, 1912. To this union were born four daughter all who grew to womanhood but who have now passed on before.  Also six sons – Henry; Oscar; Fred and Cleve of Greencastle; Elmer of Lawton, Oklahoma and Charles of Terre Haute. Besides the sons she leaves 7 grandchildren, one brother of Ft. Scott, Kansas and many other relatives and friends to mourn her loss. And we might add in passing that her last aunt of the Ewing family died January 12 of this year near Maysville Ky at the advanced age of 89 years. - kbz