Henry Freeman Thomas (1811 - 1881)

Henry F. Thomas was born at South Weymouth, Mass., January 8, 1811. He was a shoemaker by occupation. He was united in marriage to Alice Hayward September 10, 1835. In the year 1837 he came west and settled in Tazewell county, 111. working at his trade there until 1858, when at the age of 37, he permanently located at Hampton, where he secured a position as clerk in the store of M.W. Wright.

In the year 1853, Mr. Thomas and Leonard F. Baker built the brick store building standing today on River street, where they engaged in business together in business until 1861 when the sold their stock stock of merchandise to Samuel Heagy. Mr. Thomas served as county treasurer from 1865 to 1869. He then opened a shoe store in Moline, 111. with Theodore D. Wheelock, his son-in-law, continuing in that business until 1878. He then removed his merchandise to Hampton and continued in that line up to the time of his death. April 12, 1881.

The business was continued by his son, Henry, until his unfortunate death by drowning, which occurred October 28, 1881 when the steamboat Jennie Gilchrist sank at the Davenport bridge. He, with eight others, were drowned.

The Thomas family was prominent here and well known in Moline.