Sylvester Thomas
Sylvester Thomas was born in Marion Township, March 1, 1827, being the sixth in a family of ten children, born to William and Mary (Reece) Thomas, who were natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Shelby County in the spring of 1821, and settled in what is now Marion Township; they continued residents of this county until their deaths, the father dying in 1836, the mother in 1845. Our subject after his father's death lived with his brother-in-law for three years. He worked around in the neighborhood, receiving a common school education such as was to be obtained in the primitive log school-houses of those days. February, 1848, his marriage with Colista Kitchel was solemnized, and to their union eight children have been born: Jane, now Mrs. Leander Billman; Mary, wife of Leander Fortiner; Milretta, consort of Alvin Myer; Rebecca, wife of Gilbert Hartless; Ellen, now Mrs. John Vought*; Laura, wife of Douglas House; Albert, who married Alice Engle, and George. Mr. Thomas has always made farming his occupation, and has been quite successful. He now owns 660 acres of well improved land, all the accumulation of his own industry and good management. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Thomas was also a native of Shelby County, the daughter of Percy and Mary (Fox) Kitchel. She was born in 1824.
Brant and Fuller's History of Shelby County, Indiana, 1887, "Marion Township Sketches", p.712.
Submitted by Anne Ruby
Note from Anne: Colistia Kitchel was the daughter of Piercy Kitchell and Mary (Polly) Butler m. June 4, 1823, Shelby Co. Indiana.
* Also spelled Vaught
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