Biographical Sketch of

German L. Thomas

Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 651 - 652


German L. Thomas, senior member of the firm of G.L. and D.W. Thomas, dealers in groceries, provisions and 
wood at Berlin was born in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., July 11, 1833, and is a son of Reuben and Sophronia 
(Rollins) Thomas. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Rutland County, Vt., in 1795 and 
died March 9, 1850. He was of Welsh descent, the family having been founded in America by his grandfather, 
who was born in Wales and emigrated to America long prior to the War of the Revolution. He was one of a family 
of fourteen children, twelve sons and two daughters and with the exception of one who died at the age of 
twenty years all lived to be over seventy and some attained the advanced age of ninety years. The mother 
was ninety four years of age at the time of her death and was a woman of remarkable vigor and superior 
intelligence. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Sophronia Thomas, was a native of Rutland County, Vt., and 
was descended form English ancestry. Her death occurred in the Green Mountain State, in 1852.

 The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood upon his father’s farm and for two years prior to his 
emigration to the West he engaged in farming and stock-raising. He Came to Wisconsin when twenty two years 
of age and chose Marquette (now Green Lake) County, as the scene of his future operations. He settled in 
the town of Brooklyn and began the development of a farm, continuing to devote his energies to its cultivation 
until 1863. Having some preparations for a home, he then completed his arrangements by his marriage with 
Miss Harriet M. Willis, daughter of Anthony Willis, celebrated November 1, 1855. Mrs. Thomas was born in St. 
Lawrence County, N.Y., in 1838, and by her marriage became the mother of three sons and four daughters. 
Davenport W., the oldest, wedded Miss Maggie Heald and is the junior member of the firm of G.L. and D.W. 
Thomas, grocers; Adelaide C. is the wife of W.W. Collins, a leading dry-goods merchant of Berlin; Lillie 
C. clerks in the store of her brother-in-law; Nettie S. resides at home; Tina M. is a book-keeper in her 
father’s store; Grant M. is a machinist; Eugene, the youngest, is attending school. 

Mr. Thomas gives his support and influence to the Republican Party, but has never held an office though 
solicited to do so. Socially, he is a member of the Odd-Fellows society, belonging to Berlin Lodge, No. 
56, I.O.O.F.

As before stated; Mr. Thomas engaged in farming in Brooklyn Township until 1863 but in that year sold his 
first home in the county and removed to the town of *Berlin, where he pursued the same occupation until 1870. 
He then sold out and came to Berlin where he has since resided.

He was first engaged in the express and transfer business and in buying and selling wood, but in June, 1882, 
joined his son in their present business, which they have now carried on for more than seven years. The firm 
of G.L. and D.W. Thomas has an extensive grocery and provision trade and buy and sell large quanties of wood. 
They have an 80 acre cranberry marsh, which though not now very productive is capable of improvement to a 
degree that will eventually make it valuable. The firm is one of the substantial grocery houses of the city, 
and both father and son hold a high position in social and business circles.

 
* Transcriber's Note: I think the writer of this meant Brooklyn!


Transcribed by Barbara Voss for the Marquette Co WI Pages






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