Plumas
County
Biographies
MRS. SARAH THOMAS
Mrs.
Sarah Thomas, one of Portola’s most highly respected residents, has lived here
for many years and is widely acquainted throughout this section of the
county. She was born in Coles Valley,
near Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon, and is a daughter of Henry and Martha
Ann (Churchill) Stucker, who were farming folk in that community and both died
when their daughter was a small girl.
The Stucker family was of German origin and its members were mostly of
large build and great strength, living to the age of ninety years or more. The Churchill’s were
of English descent, and likewise were a hardy race. After her mother’s death, Sarah Stucker went
to live with her Grandmother Churchill, and after the death of the latter lived
with an uncle, Charles Churchill, in Douglas County. She received but meager educational
advantages, mostly confined to subscription schools in her home county. In April, 1875, in Douglas County, Oregon,
Sarah Stucker became the wife of Sylvanus Augustus Thomas, who was familiarly
known among his friends as “Gus” Thomas.
He was born near Berryville, Arkansas, and came across the plains to
California. Soon after his marriage, in
1875, he came to Plumas County and, in partnership with his cousin, Ike
Stanlea, acquired an interest in the King ranch. However, he did not like that business and
soon disposed of his interests. Removing
to Beckwith, he entered the employ of James S. Humphrey, on the latter’s
extensive ranch in the Sierra valley. In
1915 Mr. Thomas was burned to death in the destruction of his home by fire,
which was caused by the explosion of an oil stove. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas became the parents of
four children, namely: Sylvester
Clarence, who is employed in the car repair department of the Western Pacific
at Portola; Everett, who works for the Humphrey Cattle Company on its Milford
ranch; one who died in infancy and one who died in young manhood. Sylvester married Miss Sylvia Grondona, and
they have a daughter, Lovina. The latter
is the wife of William Tout, who is a fireman on the Western Pacific Railroad,
which she is a stenographer for the Portola branch of the Plumas County
Bank. In 1918 Mrs. Thomas moved to
Portola, where she still resides.
Through her good business judgment, industry and economy, she has become
very comfortably situated in life, being the owner of three residence
properties in Portola, one of which she occupies, while the others are
rented. She also still owns some
business lots in Beckwith.
Mrs.
Thomas gives her political support to the Republican Party, and as a charter
member of the Beckwith Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which she
was worthy matron in 1909, and to which order she has belonged for more than
thirty years. She also belongs to the
Pacific Club at Portola. She enjoys
excellent health, takes great pleasure in the company of her host of friends
through this section of the county, and is held in affectionate regard by those
who have the pleasure of her acquaintance.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 3 Pages 213-214. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.