Llewellyn Thomas Sr (1853 - 1912)

Born 23 Dec 1853 in Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Jane Thomas — married 20 Jan 1873 in Cedar City, Iron, Utah, USA

Husband of Sarah Jane (Banks) Thomas — married 28 Feb 1900 in Lake Shore, Utah, Utah

Descendants

Died 18 Oct 1912 at age 58 in Palmyra, Utah, Utah

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Biography

LLEWELLYN THOMAS

Born December 23, 1853, Swansea, Wales

Died October 18, 1912 at his home in Palmyra, Utah, Utah

Married January 20, 1873 to Mary Jane Thomas, at Cedar City, Iron, Utah

Came to Utah 1865

Mary Jane died March 17, 1898

Married to Sarah Jane Banks Huntington, February 28, 1900^[1]

Llewellyn is the son of William Jones Thomas and Margaret Phillips Thomas

This biography was written by his daughter, Mary Caroline Thomas Averett for Camp Mt. Flonette Daughters of Utah Pioneers. South Utah County, Spanish Fork, Utah.

Llewellyn, or Lew as he was always called, was born December 23, 1853 in Swansea, Wales, to William Jones Thomas and Margaret Phillips Thomas. He was sixth in a family of seven children. He, with his family, came to Utah in 1865. They left Wales in 1857. After arriving in St. Louis Missouri, his father and oldest brother, Ed, were employed in the coal miners, and later farming to pay their way to Utah.

I don't know much about his childhood days, but I think he must have been very happy, for he was of very cheerful disposition, always singing or whistling. I know he had a good bringing up, because of his gentleness and kindness to us. He loved his father, mother, brothers and sisters very much, also later his wife and children.

His father died when he was 13 years old and from then on he was pretty much on his own. He attended schools in Spanish Fork, Utah. Although he only went to the third grade or 3rd grade reader as we used to call it, he could read and write very well.

He was married when he was 21 years of age to Mary Jane Thomas, (no relation), a very industrious, hard working, kind, loving and wonderful woman. To them were born nine children namely; Margaret, William, Bessie, Lew, Mary Caroline, Rachel, Pratt, Jennie, and Ross. Margaret died when she was 1 year 9 months. He and mother took Aunt Maggie Beck's baby girl, a twin, and raised her as a twin to Lew until she was about 7 or 8. They had to give her up to her father at that time, which grieved them very much. We all loved her as one of the family and still do. She is now Margaret Baadsgaard. Aunt Maggie died at childbirth a very young woman.

Dad was a kind and loving father, a little on the rough side at times, but always ready to help his fellow man in time of need. When any of us needed punishing, instead of whipping us, he would talk kindly to us showing us where we were wrong. This kind of punishment hurt worse than anyone could imagine, but when he told us to do something, we knew he meant what he said, and we didn't exchange words, we just did it.

He and mother worked perfectly together helping each other in every way they could.

He was employed transporting freight to Phoenix, Arizona and Pioche, Nevada. He was a great lover of the outdoors. He drove two teams on his freight wagon and spent many cold nights sleeping on the ground. He was a lover of animals, especially horses, and always kept beautiful teams. He kept them clean and shiny and well fed. He owned and operated one of the first horse power driven threshing machines in Spanish Fork. He also owned and operated one of the first horse power driven well drivers in Utah, haven driven many wells in Palmyra, Spanish Fork and Lake Shore.

He was a member of the police force in Spanish Fork for some time. He was a successful farmer and dairy man, his butter was delicious, and was in great demand by those who had ever eaten it.

When I was 6 months old, my family moved to what is called Palmyra Ward. Having homesteaded a good tract of land just outside the old fort. He was the first one to move outside the fort. Some of the saints thought he was crazy. They said, "the Indians will kill your family and burn you out," but we had no trouble. It was a struggle for a few years, in fact we lived in one log room for several years, a family of eight.

March 17, 1898, Mother died leaving seven children. Although dad was broken hearted he did a good job managing the home and keeping us together. After two years he remarried, February 28, 1900, to Sarah Jane Banks Huntington, mother of seven children. She was a hard working, economical, good woman, who was very good and very helpful to us. There were three children born to them; Ann, Grant and Grace (twins), Grace died when 6 weeks old.

Although he was providing for a family of 15 he did very well with the help of brother Lew and others.

He was very entertaining, was a good singer and had a good sense of humor. In the evening when we were all at home I would play the organ and dad, brother and sisters would sing hymns and old folk songs, that he taught us. His clear beautiful voice rang out above all the rest. He sang at many dances and parties in his younger days.

He was very handy with the sick, sitting up with them on many occasions, through the night. The one saying of his that I remember the most is, "Never get excited, always keep cool in time of trouble or accident, you can't do anything if you are excited."

He died suddenly on October 18, 1912 at his home in Palmyra. I was living in Bingham Canyon at the time. I was brokenhearted when I received word of his death. I knew that I not only lost my dear Dad, but also my best friend. My husband, Forn Averett (John Farnsworth Averett, Jr.), Used to say, "If there were more men like your Dad, this would be a much better world in which to live."

Many friends and relatives mourned his passing. His services were held in the city pavilion at Spanish Fork, Utah. The house was packed.

United States Federal Census

• 1860 - Platte, Nebraska Territory^[2]

Llewellyn Thomas, Age: 7, White, Male, Birth Place: Wales, Post Office: Eldorado.

William Thomas age 48, Margaret Thomas age 47, Ann Thomas age 18, Edward Thomas age 19, William Thomas age 14, Margaret Thomas age 11, Llewellyn Thomas age 7, John S Thomas age 5

• 1870 - Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Territory^[3]

Llewellyn Thomas, Age: 16, White, Male, Birthplace: Wales, Post Office: Spanish Fork.

Margaret Thomas age 51, William Thomas age 23, Llewellyn Thomas age 16, John Thomas age 14

• 1880 - Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah^[4]

Llewellyn Thomas, Age: 26, Married, White, Male, Birthplace: Wales, Relation to Head of House: Self, Father's Birthplace: Wales, Mother's Birthplace: Wales, Occupation: Freighter.

Llewellyn Thomas age 26, Mary J. Thomas age 26, William Thomas age 5, Betsy Thomas age 3, Llewellyn Thomas age 10 months

• 1900 - Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah^[5]

Llewellyn Thomas Senior, Age: 46, Married, White, Male, Birthplace: Wales, Immigration Year: 1857, Relation to Head of House: Head, Marriage Year: 1899, Years Married: 1, Father's Birthplace: Wales, Mother's Birthplace: Wales.

Llewellyn Thomas Senior age 46, Sarah J Thomas age 36, Llewellyn Thomas age 20, Mary Thomas age 16, Rachel Thomas age 14, Pratt Thomas age 12, Jennie Thomas age 10, Ross Thomas age 8, Albert Huntington age 17, William Huntington age 15, Mary Huntington age 12, Edward Huntington age 10, Jane Huntington age 9, Estella Huntington age 6, Lester Huntington age 4

• 1910 - Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah^[6]

Llewellyn Thomas, Age: 57, Married, White, Male, Birthplace: Wales. Immigration Year: 1858, Relation to Head of House: Head, Spouse's Name: Sarah J Thomas, Father's Birthplace: Wales, Mother's Birthplace: Wales.

Llewellyn Thomas age 57, Sarah J Thomas age 47, Lew Thomas age 30, Jennie Thomas age 20, Ross Thomas age 16, Annie Thomas age 8, Grant Thomas age 6, Albert Huntington age 27, Edward R Huntington age 21, Lester C Huntington age 14)

Notes & Links

Death

• Cause of Death: subphrenic abscess^[7]

Funeral Service

Llewellyn Thomas died Friday, October 18, 1912, at his home in Palmyra. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Spanish Fork pavilion at 2:00 p.m. Undertaker E. N. Carlquist was in charge. Pallbearers were; Robert Banks, John Banks, Edward Banks, Richard Money, John B. Hughes and J. Wylie Thomas. Bishop A. T. Money was in charge of the services. The choir was made up of members from every ward in town. They sang "Shall We Meet Beyond the River". A consoling prayer was given by C. W. Booth. The choir sang "Near my God to Thee". John Moore was the first speaker, he said Lew Thomas was a good citizen. Solo by Bessie Gardener "Sleep and Forget". Henry Gardner was the next speaker, he said Lew Thomas spent his life helping to build up the community. Solo by Lars W. Nielsen "Face to Face". Marinus Larsen spoke and said Lew Thomas was an honest man and an honest man is the noblest work of God. A. T. Money was the last speaker he said, Lew Thomas gave assistance to those in need and sustained those in authority. The choir sang, "Farewell, All Earthly Honors". Benediction by Bishop George Hales.

Burial

• Date: 21 October 1912 - Place: Spanish Fork Cemetery, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah Find A Grave: Memorial #12496178^[8]

Other Records Where He Is Mentioned

• Son's marriage record gives parents' names ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ "Utah, County Marriages, 1871-1941", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRLG-4VK : 31 July 2017), Llewelyn Thomas and Sarah J Huntington, 1900.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6RN-NGW : 18 February 2021), Lewellyan Thomas in entry for William Thomas, 1860.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNCB-RVZ : 29 May 2021), Llewellyn Thomas in entry for Margaret Thomas, 1870.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNSL-DTG : 20 February 2021), Llewelyn Thomas, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, United States; citing enumeration district ED 83, sheet 191C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,338.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMRT-55R : accessed 10 August 2021), Llewelyn Thomas Sr., Spanish Fork Precinct Spanish Fork city Ward 3-4, Utah, Utah, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 167, sheet 18A, family 296, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,687.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M5XM-8DM : accessed 10 August 2021), Lewis Thomas, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 198, sheet 17A, family 33, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1610; FHL microfilm 1,375,623.
7. ↑ State of Utah Death Certificate - Llewellyn Thomas
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images, accessed 10 August 2021, memorial page for Llewellyn Thomas Sr. (23 Dec 1853–18 Oct 1912), Find A Grave: Memorial #12496178, citing Spanish Fork City Cemetery, Spanish Fork, Utah County, Utah, USA ; Maintained by Bonnie Huish (contributor 46938507) .

   Llewellyn Thomas Sr.; BIRTH - 23 Dec 1853, Swansea, Wales;
   DEATH - 18 Oct 1912 (aged 58), Spanish Fork, Utah County, Utah, USA;
   BURIAL - Spanish Fork City Cemetery, Spanish Fork, Utah County, Utah, USA;
   PLOT 12.17.08; MEMORIAL ID - 12496178 - Accessed 23 APR 2021

9. ↑ "Utah Marriages, 1887-1935," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8PR-7VC : accessed 7 March 2016), Llewellyn Thomas in entry for Grant Thomas and Edith Evalyn Mcdonald, 13 Feb 1924; citing , Utah, Utah; FHL microfilm 482,948.

• Family Records
• LDS Archive Family Group Record
• FamilySearch.org
• Ancestry.com