William S. Thomas, a retired farmer, living in Willow Branch, Hancock county, Indiana, was born in this same county, where he has passed his entire life, on August 16, 1858. He is a son of David and Mary (Jones) Thomas, both natives of Ohio, the former of whom as a young man was a general farmer in Clermont county of his native state and later moved to Rush county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and remained for a comparatively short time. He again moved, this time to Hancock county and located in Jackson township, where he passed his remaining days

William S. Thomas is one of a family of ten children, six of whom still survive. Those other than himself are L.B. Thomas, a retired farmer, living in Knightstown, this state; John W. Thomas, farming in Hancock county; Maurice C., a retired farmer, living in Willow Branch; Martin R., farming in Jackson township, this county, and Margaret Olive, wife of K. T. White, a Henry county farmer. After attending the schools of native township, William S. Thomas assisted in the work of the homestead and in later years rented the farm for a period of seven years, previous to buying out the interest of some of the other heirs.

William S. Thomas has been twice married. His first wife was Margaret Huston, born at Fortville, a daughter of Thomas W. and Lucinda Huston, Thomas W. bring well-known as the blacksmith of Fortville. Mr. Thomas had two children by his first marriage. Jessie K., who died on October 2, 1907, and Jeanette, wife of Alvin Sipe, a mechanic of Willow Branch. Margaret (Huston) Thomas died on April 17, 1892, and on December 29, 1897, William S. Thomas was united in marriage with Flora Tutorow, born in Willow Branch, January 7, 1872, a daughter of Hiram and Margaret (Boles) Tutorow. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tutorow were born in North Carolina and emigrated to Indiana about the year 1865, driving the entire distance in a wagon. They had many thrilling experiences en route and upon arriving in Hancock county they secured for their farm the land upon which the town of Willow Branch now stands. Hiram Tutorow died in 1888 and his widow still survives at the age of eighty-one years, hale and hearty considering the strenuous years she has been through. She is the mother of seven children, five of whom are still living. These are James L., Ella (Mrs. Higgins), living in North Vernon, this state; M. P., residing at Hartford City; Prudence, living in Willow Branch with the mother, and Flora, wife of the immediate subject of this sketch.

William S. Thomas and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested in the work of their local organization, while in politics he gives his support to the Republican party. He is also a member of the Willow Branch Horse Thief Detective Association and is an ex-officer of that organization.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 962-963.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 15, 2001.

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