Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas

Male 1847 - 1916  (69 years)

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  • Name Robert Thomas 
    Born 26 Jan 1847  Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Obituary:

      "He was born on the [Edward C.] Thomas farm, three miles south of Indianapolis on Three Notch Road."
    Gender Male 
    Died 12 Sep 1916  Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • 1723 West Capitol Ave - death certificate and widow's pension application.
    Buried 12 Sep 1916  Crown Hill Cemetery, (Military Section 9 Lot 1401, marker), Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • "Information Located from Crown Hill Records: Robert Thomas b. 26 Jan 1837 Indiana; d. 12 Sep 1916 age 69, cause of death Hodgekins Disease; Interment 14 Sep 1916 W.E. Krieger Funeral Home; Section 9 Military Grave # 1401; Private, Company A, 132nd Indiana Infantry"
    Notes 
    • U.S. Census Perry, Marion County, IN 1850, 1860, 1870: living with parents.

      Indianapolis, IN Directories, 1887-1890, year 1890: "Robert Thomas, 161 1/2 Massachusetts Avenue, sawyer"

      1902 & 1907 pension forms: teamster

    • 10 Oct 1910 Indianapolis "Star" p. 10:

      "Appeal from J.P. Court. #19640 George Kessler vs. Robert Thomas, Superior Court, Room 1."

      12 Jan 1911 Indianapolis IN "Star," p. 13, advertisement:

      "HORSES, VEHICLES, ETC. Geo. Kessler, Prince of Auctioneers, will sell at public auction every day this week the following for cash: fifty horses, mares, mules, ponies, carts, pony buggies, wagons of all kinds and harness of all descriptions. . . . George Kessler has made this a lifetime business and buys at the best prices and in big quantities. He is therefore able to show you bargains in most everything you should desire. Sale opens every morning at 9:00 sharp. 426 West Pearl Street."

      Evidently auctioneer George Kessler sued Robert Thomas, lost in Justice of Peace Court, and appealed to Superior Court.

      Roy Elmer Thomas told me that his father, Robert Thomas, engaged in buying and selling horses and sometimes "pumped them up" to make them look better, hence more valuable. This lawsuit may have resulted from such a transaction.

      Roy Richard Thomas February 2008

    • Indiana State Digital Archives, Marion County Court of Common Pleas:

      "25 Jul 1870, E. Ball & Co. v. Robert Thomas, William Thomas, et al, Defendants."

      [Wikipedia: "The Ball brothers (Lucius, William, Edmund, Frank, and George) were five American industrialists and philanthropists, who established a manufacturing business in New York and Indiana in the 1880s . . ." They made glass jars for home canning of fruits, vegetables, etc.

      Evidently, Robert and William S. were sales agents before the company moved its headquarters from Buffalo, New York to Muncie, Indiana.]

      Indiana State Digital Archives, Marion County Superior Court:

      "17 Oct 1879, Edward Thomas & Robert Thomas, Petitioners, William T. Thames, et al, Petitioners, Civil Case-Partition of Property.

      14 May 1915, Indianapolis IN "Star" p 1:

      "Superior Court, Room 1. #99039 Robert Thomas vs. Indiana Union Traction Company. Damages. McDonald & White."

      Roy Elmer Thomas told me that his father, Robert Thomas, had a contract with the city of Indianapolis IN to water the streets, so as to settle the dust. This lawsuit may have followed a collision with a street car.

    Person ID I12911  Complete
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2020 

    Father Edward Charles Thomas,   b. 15 Sep 1815, Nicholas County, Kentucky, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Jan 1875, Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years) 
    Mother Catherine Moore,   b. 21 Aug 1819, Fermanagh, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Aug 1879, Maywood, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years) 
    Married 30 Aug 1838  Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Indiana State Library Genealogy Database, Marriages through 1850: "Edwin [sic] Thomas & Catherine Moore, m. 30 Aug 1838 Marion County."

      LDS FamilySearch, Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992: "Catherine Moore & Edmond [sic] Thomas, m. 30 Aug 1838 Marion County."
    Notes 
    • Indiana Digital Archives, Marion County Superior Court:

      "17 Oct 1879, Edward Thomas, Petitioner & William T. Thames, et al, Petitioners, Civil Case-Partition of Property."
    Family ID F5766  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Sarah E. Wilkins,   b. 13 Jan 1859, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Aug 1877, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 18 years) 
    Married 24 Nov 1875  Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941: "Robert Thomas, age 13 [sic, 18] & Sadie E. Wilkins, age 13 b. Abt. 1862 [sic, 15], m. 24 Nov 1875, Marion County, IN."
    Last Modified 18 Feb 2011 
    Family ID F5763  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Addie Davenport,   b. 15 Jun 1862, Medora, Carr, Jackson County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Oct 1928, Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Married 15 May 1879  Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941: "Addie Davenport, age 16 b. Abt. 1863 & Albert [Robert] Thomas, m. 15 May 1879 Marion County."

      LDS FamilySearch Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992: "Robert Thomas & Adie Davenport, m. 15 May 1879 Indianapolis, Marion County."
    Children 
    +1. Madge L. Thomas,   b. 29 Apr 1880, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt. 1928, Prob. Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 47 years)
     2. Child Thomas,   b. Abt. 1881, Prob. Perry, Marion, IN Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt. 1881, Prob. Perry, Marion, IN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 0 years)
    +3. Savilla Thomas,   b. 2 Mar 1883, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Aug 1960, Marion County General Hospital, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
     4. Anna Louise Thomas,   b. 1 May 1885, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Feb 1968, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years)
    +5. Mamie Katherine Thomas,   b. 4 Feb 1887, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Oct 1969, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years)
    +6. Ora Albert Thomas,   b. 30 Jan 1889, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Jan 1962, St.Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years)
     7. Child Thomas,   b. Abt. 1891, Prob. Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Oct 1891, Prob. Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 0 years)
     8. Sanford Henry Thomas,   b. 9 Sep1893, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Mar 1966, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years)
    +9. Roy Elmer Thomas,   b. 27 Sep 1898, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Feb 1982, Hospice of Southern Michigan, Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     10. Robert Richard Thomas,   b. 11 Aug 1901, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Dec 1984, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, U.S.A. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
    Documents
    Robert Thomas updated his personal file for the Bureau of Pensions
    Robert Thomas updated his personal file for the Bureau of Pensions

    This update in 1915 included a list of his living children and their birthdates. The "Robert Thomas Pension Letter dated 5/8/09" was indeed signed by Robert Thomas, but the body of the letter was evidently written by his wife, Addie Davenport. Compare the script of the word "Thomas" in the "I Robert Thomas" at the beginning of the "Pension Letter" with the script of "Thomas" in the signature of Addie Thomas near the top of page two of her pension application. The body of Addie Davenport's pension application was written by a clerk, probably in her lawyer's office.
    Last Modified 16 Sep 2013 
    Family ID F5760  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 26 Jan 1847 - Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 24 Nov 1875 - Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 15 May 1879 - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 12 Sep 1916 - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 12 Sep 1916 - Crown Hill Cemetery, (Military Section 9 Lot 1401, marker), Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Robert Thomas face
    Robert Thomas face
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)

    This is the only known photo, taken about 1910-15 in Indianapolis, IN.

    Roy Richard Thomas Summer 2006
    Horse drawn street sprinkler
    Horse drawn street sprinkler

    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) had a contract with the city of Indianapolis, Marion, IN to sprinkle the streets to settle the dust. His rig may have looked like the one in this photo.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Bridge over the White River, Indianapolis, Marion, IN
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Bridge over the White River, Indianapolis, Marion, IN

    Roy Richard Thomas recalled that his father, Roy Elmer Thomas, said members of the Thomas family sometimes slept during hot summer nights in a canoe under a bridge that spanned the White River. About 1932, he pointed out the family's former home, a wooden frame house near the river and the bridge.

    The bridge in the photo looks like that bridge.

    Roy Richard Thomas July 2008

    Documents
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Civil War service
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Civil War service

    MILITARY SERVICE 1864: Robert Thomas (1847-1916) enrolled May 1864 Union Army for 100 days, discharged Sep 1864, served in Co. A, 132d Infantry Indiana Volunteers, under Col. John Tarkington, father of author Booth Tarkington (1869-1946). Roy Elmer Thomas recalled speaking occasionally after 1910 to the then famous author, Booth Tarkington, on the street in Indianapolis IN.

    National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers & Sailors: "UNION INDIANA VOLUNTEERS: 132nd Regiment, Indiana Infantry (100 days, 1864). Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., and mustered in May 18, 1864. Ordered to Tennessee May 18, and assigned to duty as Railroad Guard in Tennessee and Alabama, Dept. of the Cumberland, till September. Duty at Stevenson, Ala., till July, and at Nashville, Tenn., till September. Mustered out September 7, 1864. Lost during service 12 by disease."
    Robert Thomas & Addie Davenport Licensed to marry
    Robert Thomas & Addie Davenport Licensed to marry

    Indianapolis IN "News," 15 May 1878.
    1879 - Robert Thomas and Addie Davenport:
    1879 - Robert Thomas and Addie Davenport:

    Authenticated Copy of Marriage Record, license and certificate; contains no middle names or initials for the bride and groom.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints

    Indianapolis IN "News," 26 Oct 1892
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints

    Indianapolis IN "News," 14 Aug 1893.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract

    Indianapolis IN "News," 8 Mar 1894.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints

    Indianapolis IN "Journal," 19 Apr 1894
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) 'More Sprinkling Bids'
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) "More Sprinkling Bids"

    Indianapolis, IN "Journal," 1 May 1900, p. 8
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract

    Indianapolis, IN "Journal," 29 Apr 1902, p. 7
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Lawsuit lost
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Lawsuit lost

    Indianapolis, IN Journal, 24 Nov 1901, p. 6.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)  pension questionaire 8 Apr 1902
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) pension questionaire 8 Apr 1902

    Signed by Robert Thomas and witnessed by his brother-in-law, Elmer L. Volderauer and Willis Butler (a friend or relative?)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) pension questionaire 12 Apr 1902
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) pension questionaire 12 Apr 1902

    No signatures.
    1909:  Robert Thomas, request for Civil War Pension increase, written 8 May 1909 probably by wife Addie, but signed by Robert.
    1909: Robert Thomas, request for Civil War Pension increase, written 8 May 1909 probably by wife Addie, but signed by Robert.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Streetcar accident
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Streetcar accident

    Indianapolis IN "News," 25 Jan 1916
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Streetcar accident
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Streetcar accident

    Indianapolis "News," 28 Jan 1916
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Obituary
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Obituary

    Indianapolis IN "Star," 14 Sep 1916.

    "He was born on the [Edward C.] Thomas farm, three miles south of Indianapolis on Three Notch Road," which is known today as "South Meridian."

    The daughter, "Mrs. W.D. Soper," is Mrs. William David Soper, Anna Louise Thomas. William David Soper habitually used his initials rather than his full name. The couple were in the midst of a divorce.

    (W.D. Soper on 25 Jun 1925 did marry Catherine Josephine Giblin, of Indianapolis, but there was no mention in the newspaper in 1925 of a previous marriage for the either the groom or bride.)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Death certificate
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Death certificate

    This death certificate is important because it provides the names and nativity of the parents of Robert Thomas.

    The occupation of Robert Thomas was "contractor."

    1916: died of Hodgkins disease.
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Card of thanks
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Card of thanks

    Indianapolis "News," 21 Sep 1916.

    Headstones
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)

    Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, IN

    Military Section 9 Lot 1401

    Census Records
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)

    U.S. Census Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 1880:

    "Robert Thomas, age 33 b. Abt. 1847 Indiana parents b. Indiana, hack man, wife Addie, age 20 b. Abt. 1860 Indiana parents b. Indiana; one child b. Indiana: Maggie, one month-Apr [sic]."
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)

    U.S. Census Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 1900:

    "Robert Thomas, age 53 b. Jan 1947 Indiana, father b. Kentucky mother b. Indiana, contractor, wife Addie, age 38 b. Jun 1861 Indiana, father b. England mother b. Kentucky; six children b. Indiana: Savilla 17, Annie 15, Mamie 13, Ora 11, Sanford, 5, Roy 1."
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)
    Robert Thomas (1847-1916)

    U.S. Census Indianapolis. Marion County, IN 1910:

    "Robert Thomas, age 63 b. Abt. 1847 Indiana parents b. Indiana, contractor, wife Addie, age 50 b. Indiana, parents b. Kentucky; six children & one grandson b. Indiana: Savilla Burks 27 waitress-restaurant & her son, Harold Burks 8, Orie 21 laborer-foundry, Anna 24 stenographer-paper company, Sanford 16 driver-ice cream company, Roy 12, Robert 8."