Biographical Sketch of

Ferdinand T. Yahr

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 458 - 459


Hon. John H. Thomas is one of the prominent citizens and early settlers of Waushara County, his home being on section 
33 in the town of Aurora. He is a native of Wales, having been born in that country on the 12th of November 1834, and 
a son of Thomas and Martha (Evans) Thomas. His father was born in Wales in 1811 and his mother in the same land in 1813. 
Arriving at years of maturity, they were married in 1834, and for fourteen years of their wedded life continued to make 
their home in Wales, but at length determined to seek their fortune in the new world. They sailed for America in 1848, 
and after five weeks spent upon the broad Atlantic, landed in New York City on the 10th of October. Without delay they 
continued their journey to Milwaukee, going by way of the Great Lakes, and eight weeks had elapsed before they reached 
their destination after their arrival in this country. They first located in the town of Pewaukee, Waukesha County, 
where they remained until April, 1850, when they settled upon a farm on section 27, in the town of Aurora, Waushara 
County. The family is still living there, though the father was called to his final rest in April 1882. There were nine 
children, seven sons and two daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas- John, whose name heads this sketch; Esther, wife of 
Henry Thomas, now deceased; S.J., who is married and living in Aurora Township; Mary, wife of David Evans of Berlin; 
David C., who is living in Watertown, S. D.; William R., who is also living in Watertown; Daniel J., a resident farmer 
of the town of Aurora; Henry W., who makes his home in the same town and Joshua E., who is living on the old homestead 
and cares for his aged mother.

The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Waushara County when a lad of fifteen years. He acquired the greater 
part of his education in the schools of Wales and after coming to this country aided his father in the cultivation of 
the farm until 1858, when he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Thomas, who was also a native of Wales. Her parents 
were very early settlers of Winnebago County. The young couple, in 1859, took up their abode on section 33, in the town 
of Aurora, and since that time have there made their home. The farm at first comprised but sixty acres. With a resolute 
will and great energy, however, Mr. Thomas began the development of his land with the hope of adding to his possessions 
in the course of time and as his financial resources have increased he has made other purchases until he now owns 170 
acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation. His possessions have been acquired by his own efforts and he 
may truly be called a self made man. His transactions have been marked with the strictest honesty and fidelity, and by 
his upright life he has gained the confidence and good will of those with whom he has come in contact.

The political friends of Mr. Thomas have recognized his worth and ability and in 1875 he represented them in the 
Legislature of the State. He has also held various minor offices and when called to serve in public capacities his career 
has been characterized with the same fidelity to duty that has marked his business life. He displayed his loyalty to the 
Government during the late war by aiding his country as a member of the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery and with his command 
did garrison duty near Alexandria, Va. He was one of the instigators and prime movers of the Aurora Fire Insurance Company,
an organization formed for the protection of farmers, of which he has been an officer continuously since it was established
in 1875. The company was organized with a capital of $30,000, but has now a stock of $1,000,000, Mr. Thomas is the present 
efficient president; A.S. Rogers the secretary, and G. W. Johnson, treasurer.

The family of Mr. Thomas and wife comprises five children: Martha, who became the wife of Thomas Parsons, a resident 
farmer of the town of Aurora, is now deceased; Grant and Sherman, twins, aged twenty three are still at home; John is 
twenty one years of age Griffith, aged fifteen, is attending school. The parents and children, with one exception, are 
all members of the First Baptist Church of Berlin in which Mr. Thomas is Senior Deacon. He is one of the faithful and 
earnest workers of that church and gives liberally to the upbuilding of the cause and to all benevolent work. The Thomas 
household is the abode of hospitality and the members of the family hold a high position in the social world, where they 
have so long been widely and favorably known.

 





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