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 1847 - 1916 (69 years)
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| Name |
Robert Thomas |
| Born |
26 Jan 1847 |
Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A.  |
- Obituary:
"He was born on the [Edward C.] Thomas farm, three miles south of Indianapolis on Three Notch Road."
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| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
12 Sep 1916 |
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA |
- 1723 West Capitol Ave - death certificate and widow's pension application.
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| Buried |
12 Sep 1916 |
Crown Hill Cemetery, (Military Section 9 Lot 1401, marker), Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. |
- "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"
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| 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.
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| Person ID |
I12911 |
Complete |
| Last Modified |
7 Nov 2020 |
| Father |
Edward Charles Thomas, b. 15 Sep 1815, Nicholas County, Kentucky, U.S.A. , d. 2 Jan 1875, Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. (Age 59 years) |
| Mother |
Catherine Moore, b. 21 Aug 1819, Fermanagh, Ireland , d. 13 Aug 1879, Maywood, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. (Age 59 years) |
| Married |
30 Aug 1838 |
Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. |
- 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."
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| 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."
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| Family ID |
F5766 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 1 |
Sarah E. Wilkins, b. 13 Jan 1859, Indiana, U.S.A. , d. 25 Aug 1877, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA (Age 18 years) |
| Married |
24 Nov 1875 |
Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. |
- 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."
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| 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. , d. 1 Oct 1928, Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. (Age 66 years) |
| Married |
15 May 1879 |
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA |
- 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."
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| Children |
| + | 1. Madge L. Thomas, b. 29 Apr 1880, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA , d. Abt. 1928, Prob. Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. (Age 47 years) |
| | 2. Child Thomas, b. Abt. 1881, Prob. Perry, Marion, IN , d. Abt. 1881, Prob. Perry, Marion, IN (Age ~ 0 years) |
| + | 3. Savilla Thomas, b. 2 Mar 1883, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA , d. 28 Aug 1960, Marion County General Hospital, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA (Age 77 years) |
| | 4. Anna Louise Thomas, b. 1 May 1885, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA , d. 6 Feb 1968, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA (Age 82 years) |
| + | 5. Mamie Katherine Thomas, b. 4 Feb 1887, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA , d. 15 Oct 1969, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, USA (Age 82 years) |
| + | 6. Ora Albert Thomas, b. 30 Jan 1889, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, U.S.A. , d. 30 Jan 1962, St.Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A. (Age 73 years) |
| | 7. Child Thomas, b. Abt. 1891, Prob. Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. , d. Oct 1891, Prob. Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. (Age ~ 0 years) |
| | 8. Sanford Henry Thomas, b. 9 Sep1893, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA , d. 17 Mar 1966, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA (Age 72 years) |
| + | 9. Roy Elmer Thomas, b. 27 Sep 1898, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA , d. 4 Feb 1982, Hospice of Southern Michigan, Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan, U.S.A. (Age 83 years) |
| | 10. Robert Richard Thomas, b. 11 Aug 1901, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. , d. 31 Dec 1984, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, U.S.A. (Age 83 years) |
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| Documents |
 | 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 |
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| Event Map |
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 | Born - 26 Jan 1847 - Perry, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. |
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 | Married - 24 Nov 1875 - Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. |
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 | Married - 15 May 1879 - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA |
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 | Died - 12 Sep 1916 - Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA |
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 | Buried - 12 Sep 1916 - Crown Hill Cemetery, (Military Section 9 Lot 1401, marker), Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, U.S.A. |
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| Photos
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 | Robert Thomas face
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 | 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
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
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
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 | 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."
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 | Robert Thomas & Addie Davenport Licensed to marry
Indianapolis IN "News," 15 May 1878. |
 | 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
Indianapolis IN "News," 26 Oct 1892 |
 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints
Indianapolis IN "News," 14 Aug 1893. |
 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract
Indianapolis IN "News," 8 Mar 1894. |
 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract complaints
Indianapolis IN "Journal," 19 Apr 1894 |
 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) "More Sprinkling Bids"
Indianapolis, IN "Journal," 1 May 1900, p. 8 |
 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Sprinkling contract
Indianapolis, IN "Journal," 29 Apr 1902, p. 7
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 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916), Lawsuit lost
Indianapolis, IN Journal, 24 Nov 1901, p. 6. |
 | 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
No signatures. |
 | 1909: Robert Thomas, request for Civil War Pension increase, written 8 May 1909 probably by wife Addie, but signed by Robert.
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 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Streetcar accident
Indianapolis IN "News," 25 Jan 1916 |
 | Robert Thomas (1847-1916) Streetcar accident
Indianapolis "News," 28 Jan 1916 |
 | 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
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
Indianapolis "News," 21 Sep 1916. |
| Census Records
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 | 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)
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)
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." |
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