David THOMAS

                   Biography and important research and historical information in notes

Genealogy, History, Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Tuscarawas/TuscarawasBSugarCreek.htm Genealogy, History, Tuscarawas, New Philadelphia DAVID THOMAS, farmer, P. O. Shanesville, was born in Dover Township, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, March 30, 1814, and is a ****son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Baker) Thomas, natives of Bedford County, Penn. His parents came to this county in 1809, and took up a fifteen years' lease on a 150-acre tract in Dover Township. Here the father died in 1821, followed by the widow in 1843. Mr. Thomas served in the war of 1812, and was one of the forty men who pursued some Indians from Bedford County, Penn., to this county, to recover two stolen children. The subject, of this sketch was reared on a farm, and obtained his education under the difficulties of those early times. In 1836, he was united in marriage with Naucy Fetter, who was born in Sugar Creek Township, this county and State, on the farm our subject now occupies. She departed this life January 6, 1871; at the time of her decease she weighed 340 pounds, and her mother at one time was 400 pounds in weight. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, in the kindness of their bearts, raised the following-named children-Jacob Thomas, taken at five months of age, now in Williams County, Ohio; George Putt, taken when twelve years old, now in Iowa; John Morganthaler (see his biography); Louis Bucher, taken when seven years of age; Catherine Lawder, at six years of age, now wife of D. Patterson; Eva Putt, wife of John Morganthaler; and Barbara Morganthaler taken when eighteen months old, now wife of F. Stutzman. Mr. Thomas formed a second marriage with Mrs. Agnes Butcher, relict of the late Peter Butcher; she was an old playmate of his. In 1833, while he was on his way to the house of Henry Cramer, near Bolivar, Ohio, he met a little girl. Agnes in his path, and playfully put- SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 947 ting her on his shoulder, he carried her to the house. By her first union she had five children-Frank Butcher, of Zoar Station, Ohio; Jacob Butcher, of Massillon, Ohio; Mrs. Clara Morris, of Dover, Ohio; and M Maggie and Mary Butcher, still with her. Mr. Thomas has given a very liberal start to the children he has reared, and still retains a good farm of 147 acres, which he has made by his own efforts. He is a powerful man, having been able in his early manhood to make 310 rails a day. He has now with him Daniel Snider, whom he has adopted. JOHN MORGENTHALER, farmer, P. O. Shanesville, was born in the year 1848, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, and came to this county with his parents at four years of age. His father, Samuel Morgenthaler, died in New Philadelphia, Ohio, about a year after their arrival. The widow, Mrs. Mary Morganthaler, is now a resident of New Philadelphia. When six years old, our subject went to live with Mr. David Thomas, where he made his home until twenty-six years old. Here he learned the ordinary duties of a farmer boy and attended the schools o£ the district. He was married, October 1, 1874, to Miss Eva Putt, a daughter of George Putt. She also had her home with Mr. Thomas from early childhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Morgenthaler have been born four children-Clara May. Anna M., Ella J. and Thomas E. After his marriage, Mr. Morgenthaler rented a farm of Mr. Thomas for three ,years, when he bought his present place of seventy-four acres. The land is well improved and has good farm buildings. He is industrious and successful, and is prospering well in life. In politics, he is an adherent of the Democratic party. He and his wife encourage the cause of education and intend giving their children good advantages.