On This Day in Family History - May 21

Ellen R McOmber Thomas was born 21 May 1829

Ellen was the wife of Uriah Baker Thomas

Uriah and Ellen were the parents of Walter, Orr, George, Luna, and Myra

The only one of those that I have a picture of is George Theodore Thomas

He was a lawyer, a judge in Huron County, Ohio, and a representative in the state legislature, serving part of that time as Speaker of the House.

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30 August 1920

George Theodore Thomas 

Probate Judge of Huron county, son of Uri B. Thomas and Ellen (McOmber). Thomas, was born in Greenwich township, Huron county, Ohio, September 11, 1856. He attended school for some time at Oberlin College and Buchtel College at Akron; then studied law and admitted to practice February 2 1886. He was the mayor of the village of Greenwich, 1883 to 1885, and about the same time held the office of township clerk, member of the board of education, and secretary of the Greenwich Land and Building Association. In November 1886, he began the practice of law at Norwalk. In 1890 he was elected Probate Judge, and was re-elected in 1893. He is a fluent speaker and is often called upon to make public addresses. Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Emma J. Miller, of Fairfield township, this county, April 10, 1880, and they have one child, Alton Orr Thomas.

-- "Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953," George T Thomas, 1920

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Thomas, Hon. George T., one of Huron county's most distinguished sons, a staunch republican and a good citizen, passed away at his home in Norwalk, August 30, 1920, lacking but twelve days of attaining his 64th birthday. He was born in Greenwich township, September 11, 1856, the son of Uri Baker and Ellen (MacOmber) Thomas. His mother died in his early youth, but his stepmother, Myra (Stowe) Thomas, was a woman of exceptional mental faculties and to her he owed many of his early impressions. After completing his education, he taught school for a time and in 1882 was elected mayor of Greenwich, which first brought him into prominence. He married Miss Emma J. Miller, of North Fairfield, who with a son, Alton O. Thomas, survived him. He was admitted to the bar in 1886, and moved to Norwalk, the county seat, in 1887. In 1891 he was elected probate judge and re-elected in 1894, serving six years. In 1899 he was elected representative from Huron county and was twice re-elected, serving three terms. He was made Speaker of the House January, 1904, serving two years. He was an able lawyer, a brilliant orator, a popular official, a kind husband and father and an honored and respected citizen at home and abroad. Funeral services were conducted at the house by Rev. I. Spanton, Akron, and Rev. F. C. Holbrook, Norwalk; the burial was in Woodlawn cemetery.

The following resolutions were adopted by the Huron county Bar Association on the death of Hon. Geo. T. Thomas: 

Whereas, we members of the Huron County Bar Association have learned that death has claimed one of our members, Honorable George T. Thomas, we do hereby express our profound sorrow; realizing that in his passing the legal profession has lost an able and worthy member, and the state one of its finest types of citizenship.

Judge Thomas was essentially a product of Huron county. Born in Greenwich township in 1856 he passed through all the wholesome stages that county boys undergo. He was always intellectually inclined, and early established a reputation as a fluent and forcible debater in the lyceums and contests that flourished a generation or two ago, and did much to educate men for public and civic leadership. He used all opportunities for study, and had the advantage of higher education at Oberlin and Buchtel colleges. He taught school successfully, and after due preparation was admitted to the bar.

His political rise was rapid and honorable. Mayor of Greenwich, two terms as probate judge of Huron county, member of the Ohio legislature, and speaker of the lower house, mark the chief points of his notable political career, and all of these positions he served with honor, efficiency, ability and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was an able orator, devoted to his party and its success, and for more than a generation was one of its leaders.

At the bar Judge Thomas was likewise successful. For 22 years he was the partner of J. R. McKnight, occupying the same law offices in Norwalk during that period. His practice was varied, but he handled all matters intrusted to him with great care and fidelity, and his legal ability was recognized by all with whom he came in contact. Only those who knew him best know of his high ideals, his scrupulous honesty, his kindliness and devotion to his clients, his courtesy and fairness to the courts and to opposing counsel.

Early in his career Judge Thomas was married to Miss Emma J. Miller, and to them was born one son, Alton O., who survived him. To them he has been a devoted husband and father, whose loss is irreparable.

A good and upright lawyer, successful in business affairs, a trusted and able political leader and public servant, a patriotic and enterprising citizen, a man of high character, beloved by all who knew him, and a fine gentleman of the old school, Judge Thomas has gone to his reward. He will be missed in many circles, but in none more than by his brothers at the bar, who will ever bear him in respectful and kindly remembrance.

J. R. McKnight, A. E. Rowley and G. Ray Craig, Committee of the Huron Bar Association.

An impressive event took place in the House of the Ohio General Assembly at 5:30 p.m. Monday January 17, 1920, when Representative Taylor of Huron county presented resolutions on the death of the Hon. George T. Thomas, former speaker of the house. After Mr. Taylor read the resolutions, all members stood for one full minute with bowed heads to show their respect for the late speaker, and then after passing the resolutions, the house adjourned till 1:30 Tuesday afternoon: 

Whereas, The House of Representatives of the 84th General Assembly has heard with profound sorrow and regret of the death of the Honorable George T. Thomas member from Huron county, in the 74th, 75th and 76th General Assemblies, and Speaker of the House in the 76th General Assembly of the State of Ohio; and

Whereas, In his death the people of his county have lost a true and sincere friend and neighbor, and the state of Ohio an honest, wise and patriotic citizen, faithful to his duties in both public and private life, his friends only numbered by his large acquaintance, all of whom testify to his firmness of character and splendid citizenship; therefore,

Resolved, That in the death of the Honorable George T. Thomas we mourn the loss of a sincere and fearless servant of the people, whose memory we cherish because of his stainless record, and the entire state may justly join in this tribute to his memory.

Be it further resolved: That we extend to his family and friends our deep and lasting sympathy and condolence, and express our appreciation of his high and spotless character and those noble qualities which made him a useful and honorable member of the House of Representatives.

Be it further resolved, That as a further evidence of our respect to his memory this resolution be adopted by the House and spread upon the Journal and that a copy of the same be engrossed and transmitted to the family of the deceased.

Be it further resolved: That out of respect to the memory of the Honorable George T. Thomas, this House do now adjourn.