Isom H. Thomas

Isom H.
Thomas
Born in
Jackson Co.
Miss.
Nov 10, 1839
Died in
Corpus Christi
May 2, 1900

THOMAS

Farewell my wife
and children all
From you a father
Christ doth call

Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales

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Obituaries

I. H. Thomas (named spelled variously as "Isom," "Isham," "Isam," and "Aisom") is usually listed as Isom Hodges Thomas. I. H. Thomas was born on November 10, 1839 in Jackson, Mississippi according to his gravestone. However, census records indicate that the more likely year of his birth was closer to 1834.

With his family he entered Texas in the Nacogdoches area, and in that county met and married Martha E. Lee Sims. Subsequent to the wedding on January 9, 1959 they lived in Nacogdoches and Washington County prior to settling in south Texas where Isom was employed as a caporal (usually a person in charge of a team of ten men) on the Laureles Ranch under the various owners from about 1864 until shortly before his death in May of 1900.

He is often mentioned in the local papers as visiting the town of Corpus Christi in company with his son-in-law Fred Howell and ranchmen Capt. Thomas Beynon or Frank Gregory of the Laureles. Isom and his wife Martha had numerous children of which about six died as infants or children.

Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Thomas
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales

 

DEATH OF I. H. THOMAS

A well known pioneer citizen of Nueces county passes away.

Death has again made its drear visitation into our midst and deprived Nueces County of one of her most highly respected and esteemed pioneer residents, Mr. Isom H. Thomas, aged 69 years and 6 months, a native of Jackson County, Mississippi, who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clemence Vetters, in this city, Wednesday, May 2, at 5:20 o'clock a.m., from a protracted illness of asthma.

Deceased came to Nueces County from Jackson county, the stock raising industry, which he pursued until 1864, when he cast his lot with the Confederacy and was a loyal and intrepid defender of the "lost Cause" until the cessation of hostilities, when he returned here and in 1868 was employed by Captain M. Kenedy as "caporal" of the Laureles ranch, where he remained (being retained by the present management) until death deprived it of his services. He was confined to his bed more than two weeks, most of which time he was in a precarious condition and his life constantly despaired of. Recently he joined the Methodist church and died professing that faith. He leaves a large family to mourn his demise, viz: one brother, M. Thomas, of Beevile; a wife, four sons, Pat, Isom, Mifflin, and Arthur Thomas; three daughters, Mrs. Jho. McManigle, Mrs. Clem. Vetters and Mrs. Alex Downs, all of whom were at his bedside when his soul left its citadel of pain and took its flight to that celestial abode from whence none return, but all is eternal rest.

His funeral occurred yesterday at 10 a.m. from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Clem. Vetters, the obsequies being conducted by Rev. J. J. Linn; interment in Old Bayview cemetery.

Source: Corpus Christi Caller, 05/04/1900, Vol. XVII No. 19, page 5

Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales