Aberdeen Daily News Thursday, Jan 12, 1905
DEATH OF A PIONEER
Joseph Thomas, Who Came to Brown County in 1883, Dies at Plana, S. D., Jan. 11 —
Once more the grim reaper, Death; has entered one of our homes and has left it lonely and the family sad. After an illness extending over but a few days Joseph Thomas passed into the great beyond on Wednesday night about 12 o’clock at his home three miles east of Plana, at the age of 73. He was a man of singular force of character and splendidly equipped mentally.
During the most of his life he was a great reader and had considerable literary ability. He was born and reared and trained in a religious family, and from his early training in religious principles he never swerved. Even in death there was the peace and content that marked his long Christian life, and upon his countenance there was no trace of suffering.
Mr. Thomas was born at Lianarth, Cardiganshire, South Wales, on New Year, 1832. He came to America in 1862. He went back to Wales in May, 1868, and was married to Miss Mary Jones at New Quay, Cardiganshire, South Wales . He lived in Bangor, Wis., until 1883. His wife died in July, 1882, and her death was a severe blow to Mr. Thomas. In 1883 he came to this county and located on a farm three miles east of Plana, where he resided until his death.
The remains were taken back to Bangor for burial, arriving there at 1:15 on Friday afternoon, and were taken to the home of Mrs. H. M. Pugh. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Elias Jones on Saturday at 2 p.m., after which he was laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas— Benjamin of Greenview, Ill., John Lewis of Plana, Joseph, Jenken and David of Oriska, N. D., Evan, Voltaire, N. D.; Margaret A Pugh and Mrs. [Belle] Roy Bowen, Bangor, Wis. Mr. Thomas had a host of friends in LaCrosse county who will be exceedingly sorry to learn of his demise.
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith