From Emma Houghton’s scrapbook:
MR. MARY THOMAS
Mrs. Mary Thomas passed away at her farm home at Spring Creek, where she had resided sixty years, on Friday evening, July 26, 1935, at the age of 80 years and 4 months. She had been ill and confined to her bed nearly five years, suffering of pernicious anemia, which in her case affected her spine and rendered her nearly helpless. Not withstanding her long and serious affliction, she manifested great courage and maintained the spirit of cheer and hopefulness which always characterized her. Only a few weeks ago, the more severe aspects of her malady appeared, and she steadily failed until death relieved her of suffering.
The funeral services were held from the home at 2 o’clock on the following Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. A.M. Romstad, in whose sermon there was fine tribute to her noble qualities of mind and heart. The song service was rendered by Albert Hansen, of Brainerd, Minnesota, who sand two solos, “That Wonderful Mother of Mine” and “I Shall Not Pass this Way Again.” He was accompanied by Miss Irma Gilbertson, granddaughter of Mrs. Thomas. The pall bearers were six grandsons, James, Max Phillip, and Garth Thomas, Thomas Johnson and Le Roy Gilbertson. Mrs. Robert Twining, Mrs. Eilert Hagen and the Misses Julia Bright, Emma Brevig an Lulu Thompson were in charge of the flowers. The services were attended by large number of good friends, and a long concourse followed the remains to Riverside cemetery, where interment was made. There were many beautiful floral tributes.
Mrs. Thomas was the last survivor of the family of John and Emeline Levis, prominent among the pioneer settlers of the Black River valley, and who located near this city in the forties.
Her father was a descendant of General Mahlon Levis, That general was in the French army of General Montcalm, which held the fortress at Quebec when the French and Indian war opened with England and the Colonies in 1754. At the battle on the Plains of Abraham, the English and Colonial Army under General Wolfe defeated Montcalm’s forces, both General Wolfe and General Montcalm losing their lives in the conflict. The main body of the French troops were captured when Quebec fell, but General Levis and some of his forces and their Indian allies escaped. Later they crossed the St. Lawrence river and made their way to western New York, where the Indians were in large numbers, and General Levis and his French soldiers located there. The warfare between the Indians and Colonies, continued until late in the Revolutionary war, some of the Indians taking part with General Burgoyne’s English army in his invasion of New York which led to his surrender at Saratoga. Later General Levis moved across the Canadian border and located in the Province of Quebec, where still live survivors of the family. His mother’s family were among the pioneer residents of Vernon county, arriving there early in the last century, and the Gullord family of Westby still live on the farm that was the home of the late Mrs. John Levis, senior.
John and Emeline Levis came here and located above the city, where he erected a hotel and saw-mill near the mouth of what has ever since been known as Levis Creek. At about the time of their arrival, iron ore was found in the mound on the south side of the creek. After several years of agitation, an iron furnace was erected there in about 1851 or 1852. The workers in the furnace were brought from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Germany, and the new industry, the first iron furnace in the west, was quite promising. There was an abundance of timber, which was made into charcoal and produced a superior grade of iron. A new town-site, New Denamora (also called Irontown), was laid out, and many homes were built thereabouts. The only transportation of the pig iron to market was down the river by rafts, and it failed to be practical. Later, upon the opening of an iron foundry at Eau Claire, some of the pig-iron was hauled by ox-teams to that city. Though there was plenty of ore and fuel, the furnace failed. Thirty years later, the York Iron Company built another larger furnace about a half-mile south of the first furnace and continued in operation until 1895.
Mr. Levis confined his activities to his lumber business, shipping the lumber in rafts to Dubuque and other down river points.
Mrs. Thomas was born at New Denamora on March 26, 1855, when the lumber industry was enjoying its first boom, and her girlhood was spent in the pioneer settlement which was one the more prominent places along Black river. Her parents were hospitable people, and the Levis home was widely known. There were many great gatherings there, when guest came from 40 to 50 miles away to attend. Of active mind and retentive memory from her younger years, she had a great recollection of incidents and events of the pioneer days.
On July 3, 1874, she was married at Sparta to James Thomas. At that time he was foreman at one of W.T. Price’s larger camps in Clark county, where they made their home for a year. They then acquired their fine large farm at Spring Creek, and it had since been her home, except for a few years which she spent in this city before his death. She was not content in the city, however, and was glad to move back to the Spring Creek community and the good friends with whom she had neighbored nearly half a century. Mr. Thomas passed away on December 2, 1920. He was a Civil war veteran, serving in Company G, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers.
Thirteen children were born to their union. Ten children survive her – Mrs. Julia Johnson, of La Conner, Washington; Mrs. George E. Penton, of Clarkbridge, Saskatchewan; Mrs. A.L. Gilbertson, Mrs. F.E. Durrin, Mrs. Harriet Noble an Mrs. Grace Holder; and Mark, Frank, Levis and Arthur. Three children preceded her in death, her sons George and Don, and one daughter, Mrs. Sadie Noble. She also leaves 26 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her brother J.H. Levis, for many hears postmaster at Black River Falls, passed away feb 19, 1933, George Levis, long prominent in state affairs, died at Madison about 25 years ago, and her brother Frank in Minnesota about 20 years ago. Her two sisters were Mrs. George Thompson and Miss Alice Levis.
Until her illness came upon her, Mrs. Thomas led a very active life. She was devoted to her large family and was tireless in her endeavors to promote the welfare and happiness of her husband an children. Her philosophy was that of hope, faith and optimism. Calm and collected under many trials and vicissitudes of daily life, she was a genuine cheer and encouragement to all about her. Nor was her solicitude for her family only. It was extended to her friends and neighbors freely. She was interested and sympathetic toward them as toward her own, and she never tired of extending the hearty greeting and kindly assistance which came so natural to her. In time of trouble or distress throughout her long life in her community, she was prompt to responding to every call.
When her illness finally confined her to her home and to her bed, and she was obliged to realize that henceforth her activities would be restricted, she gave no evidence of despair to the many who called upon her. Over the telephone she kept in daily touch and communication with her widespread circle of friends. And throughout the long years of her illness and until her strength failed entirely, she continued to send her cheerful messages to her friends. None who was unaware of her age and physical health would have known of her affliction from her conversation.
She always had a great interest in young people. She was glad to have them about her and to lend her encouragement to their aims and worthy purposes. For many years she served as clerk of her school district, and gave to the school, located on her farm, and to its teachers and pupils her earnest attention.
When the Jackson County Journal was established in February, 1886, Mrs. Thomas brothers, George W. and John H. Levis were among those who were interested in the success of the new publication. Loyal to them she became also interested and was one of the first correspondents on its staff. Possibly she had had previous experience in the same capacity with the Badger State Banner. With a natural aptitude for writing and news gathering, for nearly half a century she continued her weekly letters from Spring Creek. Never except in the times of greatest stress in her personal affairs did she fail to have her news items forwarded. During her long illness, using her telephone, she continued her good work for ho community and for this publication. As the years passed, and many of the people of her community scattered far and wide, some to distant states, she not only kept them in touch with their old home neighborhood, but she kept them in touch with each other. It was a “labor of love” to her, and she made her column of the same cheer and encouragement as was her life to all who knew her. The Banner-Journal readers everywhere came to know her through her letters and solicitude which they expressed toward her was constant and enduring. Her correspondence brought pleasure to her, and equally so to thousands of others.
All who knew her were her friends. Her genuine and hearty interest in others made them an kept them so. Kind, sympathetic and loyal, her life was devoted to the happiness of others. She lived in the Christian spirit. The sympathy of her host of friends goes out to her family in the loss in which they have a full share.
M.H.