13,610
edits
Changes
m
no edit summary
Silas M. Thomas was born around 1833 1830 in Connecticutto Amos Thomas (1798-1874) and Lucretia Baldwin Barnabas Thomas (1800-1879), both born and died in Connecticut. Lucretia was daughter of George Thomas Barnabas and Mary Baldwin Barnabas. George's father was Enoch Baldwin. ===Silas M. Thomas' siblings===* Frances Jane Thomas (1828-) married George C. Hall in 1850 in New Haven, CT.* Sarah L. Thomas (1834-1910) married Edward E. Bowns in CT. Moved to * Grace Ann Thomas married Silas' wife's brother, Edward C.D. Lines (b. May 9, 1836) on May 24, 1857, the 2nd marriage in Wabaunsee, KS . They had two children: Lizzie & Edna; E.C.D. was elected register of deeds in 1859, and clerk of the district court that same year. Was clerk of the board of supervisors until 1861 when he joined the early 1850'sArmy. E.C.D. served as captain of Co. B. 2d Kansas, and after his wife diedwas killed on the skirmish line near Ft. Smith, AR on Sept. 1, he lived around 1900 with his daughter Carrie 1863. Was written in a tribute to the early days of Wabaunsee as "a man of sterling worth and her husband Edward Copeland a promising future". It was in Rhineharthis honor that the Lines Post, DickinsonAlma, was named. Grace later moved back to Connecticut.* Charlotte "Lottie" A. Thomas (1838-1915) married Henry W. Munson of Hamden, CT ===1856 Kansas move===Silas moved to Wabaunsee, KSin 1856 with the Connecticut aka Beecher Rifle Colony, of which there was also a G.H. In Thomas listed in the same colony move, perhaps referring to his sister Grace Ann? ===Brethren connection===In 1880 there was an Exclusive Brethren meeting in Wabaunsee, KS with S.M. Thomas listed as contact.
===Marriage===
Silas married Cornelia M. Lines (b. 1838 CT) on Dec. 23, 1857 in Wabaunsee, the third marriage in the county. Cornelia was born about 1838 in New Haven, CT to the Hon. Charles Burrill Lines (1807-1889) and Maria Wooding Lines (1808-1897). She She was educated in New Haven city schools, and at Prof. Lovell's private school.
Charles served as president of the Connecticut (aka Beecher Rifle) colony before coming to Wabaunsee, KS with the colony in 1856. Charles and Maria had at least three other children: E.C.D. Lines (b. May 9, 1936) who on May 24, 1857 married Grace A. Thomas (any relation to Silas?) and they had two children: Lizzie & Edna; E.C.D. was elected register of deeds in 1859, and clerk of the district court that same year. Was clerk of the board of supervisors until 1861 when he joined the Army. E.C.D. served as captain of Co. B. 2d Kansas, and was killed on the skirmish line near Ft. Smith, AR on Sept. 1, 1863. Was written in a tribute to the early days of Wabaunsee as "a man of sterling worth and a promising future". It was in his honor that the Lines Post, Alma, was named.
Other children of C.B. Lines and Maria included Olivar E. Lines (b. 1840) and Louisa B. Lines (b. 1844) who married George Sharp Burt Sr. (b. 1837 Markesan, WI, d. 1924 Topeka, KS).
===Occupation===
Silas' occupation in 1860 was listed as a Camaje Maker (restaurant?). In 1875-1882 he served as postmaster of Wabaunsee. Cornelia died at 41 in June 1879 of a nervous breakdown. By at least 1900, Silas lived with his daughter Carrie and her husband Edward Copeland in Rhinehart, Dickinson, KS.
===Descendants===
** Lois Jean Niersbach (1907-1997) never married, died in L.A.
===John Thomas shooting===
Unknown whether this was any relation to Silas M. Thomas or not, but in the Wabaunsee history is included the story of a shooting in 1898 by "Missouri John" Thomas in Maple Hill, who was employed at the Fowler ranch. The full story can be found at [https://archive.org/details/earlyhistoryofwa01thom/page/16 Wabaunsee history] but it involved a shooting of several people over a girl.
===Sources===