Ezra Hopkins Thomas

M, b. September 19, 1847, d. July 11, 1922

 
Ezra and Augusta Thomas

Father*Moses Thomas (March 19, 1811 - November 10, 1864)
Mother*Rhobie Marie Hopkins (August 26, 1823 - December 8, 1889)
Ezra Hopkins Thomas|b. September 19, 1847\nd. July 11, 1922|p3021.htm|Moses Thomas|b. March 19, 1811\nd. November 10, 1864|p3042.htm|Rhobie Marie Hopkins|b. August 26, 1823\nd. December 8, 1889|p1425.htm|Sylvanus Thomas|b. February 20, 1768\nd. July 31, 1834|p3055.htm|Elizabeth Peirce|b. April 12, 1771\nd. April 20, 1858|p2341.htm|Samuel T. Hopkins|b. circa 1793\nd. 1870|p1430.htm|Abigail Preston|b. April 14, 1795\nd. before January 1, 1881|p2407.htm|

ChartsDavid Thomas
Nora Miller
Last EditedJanuary 12, 2007

Birth*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was born on September 19, 1847 in Pulteney, Steuben County, New York.1,2 
He was the son of Moses Thomas and Rhobie Marie Hopkins. 
Cen-Enum*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was enumerated on the US Census Population Schedule 1850 of August 12, 1850 at Pulteney, Steuben County, New York. Ezra is listed as aged 3 and having been born in New York..3 
Cen-Enum*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was enumerated on the US Census Population Schedule 1860 of June 19, 1860 at Pulteney, Steuben County, New York. Erza is listed as aged 12 and having been born in New York..4 
Living His father, Moses, buys land in Marion Township to farm. Ezra would have been 15 at the time.5 
Marriage*Ezra Hopkins Thomas married Augusta Alvira Hart, daughter of Jerome W. Hart and Fanny Ellen Cain, on December 29, 1869 in Allen, Hillsdale County, Michigan.6,7 
Cen-Head*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was head of household on the US Federal Census for Michigan of September 6, 1870, Town of Marion, at Livingston County, Michigan. He is listed as 23 and having been born in New York. He is farming land valued at $7000 and with personal property valued at $1500.

It is probable that he is farming the land his father, Moses, purchased in 1862 in Marion Township. The record also lists a Moses Thomas, aged 18, living in the household. This was proably his younger brother.

However, the land records indicate that Moses Thomas owned land in Marion Township in 1880 and that he lived in the town of Marion in 1890. (See Moses Thomas [131] for more information.).8 
Residence*Ezra Hopkins Thomas lived in 1875 in Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa. Ezra moved his family to Iowa sometime in 18705. His brother Moses with whom he had been farming was then living in Ionia County, Michigan. The two brothers probably broke up, each going their own way in the 1870's. By 1890, however, Moses, Ezra's brother, was back in Livingston County in Marion Township where the original farm was located.7
Land*He transacted land on May 3, 1875 at Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa, The Instrument was filed on May 3, 1875. The land purchased was the NWQ Section 11, Twp 80 of Shelby County.9
Land*He and Jerome W. Hart transacted land on September 16, 1876 at Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa, The Instrument was filed on November 14, 1876. The land purchased was the N1/2 NWQ Section 11, Twp 80 of Shelby County, and was purchased from his son-in-law, Ezra Thomas.10 
Cen-Head*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was head of household on the US Census Population Schedule 1880 of June 29, 1880, Washington Township, at Shelby County, Iowa. Ezra is listed as aged 32, farming, having been born in New York, and that both of his parents were born in New York.11 
Anecdote*About 1896, Ezra and Augusta had a family picture taken.
Cen-Head*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was head of household on the US Census Population Schedule 1900 of June 14, 1900, Washington Township, at Shelby County, Iowa. He is listed as 53 (born in September 1846) and that he was born in New York. Both of his parents were also born in New York. He is farming.12 
Cen-Head*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was head of household on the US Census Population Schedule 1910 of May 4, 1910, Washington Township, at Shelby County, Iowa. Ezra (his name looks like Edward on the census) is listed as aged 66, farming, having been born in New York, and that both of his parents were born in New York.13 
Divorce FilingAugusta Alvira Hart filed for divorce from Ezra Hopkins Thomas on December 6, 1910 at Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa;

In her complaint seeking a divorce from Ezra, Augusta indicates that on or about July 17, 1910, Ezra mistreated her ("jammed her against the wall at diverse times, and has used coarse and vile language toward" her, and that Ezra "drove this plaintiff and her two daughters from their home without cause." The two daughters mentioned here would have been Augusta (Gussie) and Nellie.

We can only speculate about the cause of this outbreak. However, it is interesting to note that Nellie had decided to marry a Catholic, the son of a German immigrant, and that she had agreed to take instructions and become a Catholic. Given Ezra's strict and long Protestant background, this event may have caused a riff between Ezra and Nellie. If Augusta had taken Nellie's part, it is not unreasonable that this may have been the impetus for Ezra throwing Augusta and the two daughters still living at home out of the house.


When they were ordered from their home, it is likely that the three women would have sought refuge in the home of Augusta's parents, Jerome and Fannie Hart, who lived a mere quarter of a mile north.7
 
Divorce*Ezra and Augusta Alvira Hart were divorced on March 16, 1911 at Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa;

It is also interesting to note that Ezra and Augusta had been quite successful in selling and acquiring land, and that their net worth was over $18,000. In seeking the divorce, Augsuta sought $7,500, custody of the youngest daughter, Gussie, as well as a number of specific items from the house: a sewing machine, a white quilt, a worsted quilt, a table and chair that had been a gift from her father, a picture album, and various pictures of her mother, brothers and sisters, and certain dishes and china.7 
Marriage*Ezra Hopkins Thomas married Ann E. Dowd, daughter of Roswall Dowd and Abigail Hopkins, on January 20, 1915 in Pulteney, Steuben County, New York. Anna Dowd was Ezra's first cousin on his mother's (Rhobie Hopkin's) side of the family, the daughter of his aunt Abigail Dowd. 
Cen-Head*Ezra Hopkins Thomas was head of household on the US Census Population Schedule 1920 of January 5, 1920, Avoca Township, at Steuben County, New York. Ezra is listed as aged 72, having been born in New York, and both his parents having been born in New York.14 
Death*Ezra Hopkins Thomas died on July 11, 1922 in Pulteney, Steuben County, New York, at age 74.2,15 

Family 1

Augusta Alvira Hart b. 9 May 1851, d. 22 Apr 1923
Marriage*He married Augusta Alvira Hart, daughter of Jerome W. Hart and Fanny Ellen Cain, on December 29, 1869 in Allen, Hillsdale County, Michigan.6,7 
Divorce FilingAugusta Alvira Hart filed for divorce from Ezra Hopkins Thomas on December 6, 1910 at Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa;

In her complaint seeking a divorce from Ezra, Augusta indicates that on or about July 17, 1910, Ezra mistreated her ("jammed her against the wall at diverse times, and has used coarse and vile language toward" her, and that Ezra "drove this plaintiff and her two daughters from their home without cause." The two daughters mentioned here would have been Augusta (Gussie) and Nellie.

We can only speculate about the cause of this outbreak. However, it is interesting to note that Nellie had decided to marry a Catholic, the son of a German immigrant, and that she had agreed to take instructions and become a Catholic. Given Ezra's strict and long Protestant background, this event may have caused a riff between Ezra and Nellie. If Augusta had taken Nellie's part, it is not unreasonable that this may have been the impetus for Ezra throwing Augusta and the two daughters still living at home out of the house.


When they were ordered from their home, it is likely that the three women would have sought refuge in the home of Augusta's parents, Jerome and Fannie Hart, who lived a mere quarter of a mile north.7
 
Divorce*Ezra and Augusta Alvira Hart were divorced on March 16, 1911 at Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa;

It is also interesting to note that Ezra and Augusta had been quite successful in selling and acquiring land, and that their net worth was over $18,000. In seeking the divorce, Augsuta sought $7,500, custody of the youngest daughter, Gussie, as well as a number of specific items from the house: a sewing machine, a white quilt, a worsted quilt, a table and chair that had been a gift from her father, a picture album, and various pictures of her mother, brothers and sisters, and certain dishes and china.7 
Children

Family 2

Ann E. Dowd b. c 1869
Marriage*Ezra Hopkins Thomas married Ann E. Dowd, daughter of Roswall Dowd and Abigail Hopkins, on January 20, 1915 in Pulteney, Steuben County, New York. Anna Dowd was Ezra's first cousin on his mother's (Rhobie Hopkin's) side of the family, the daughter of his aunt Abigail Dowd. 

Citations:

  1. [S2] Miller Family, The Holy Bible (St. Paul, Minnesota: E. M. Lohmann Co., 1926); Nora Garrity, Jefferson, Iowa. Hereinafter cited as Miller Bible.
  2. [S51] James Hope and Annette Campbell and Bruce Reisch, Thomas Cemetery, Steuben County, New York (http://www.rootsweb.com/~nysteube/pu/pu3.html: Steuben County, NY GenWeb, 1971), Ezra Thomas, p. 5. Hereinafter cited as Thomas Cemetery.
  3. [S399] United States Census Office, 1850 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Pultney, Steuben County, New York (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1850). Hereinafter cited as 1850 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Pultney, Steuben County, New York.
  4. [S403] United States Census Office, 1860 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Pultney, Steuben County, New York (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860). Hereinafter cited as 1860 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Pultney, Steuben County, New York.
  5. [S37] Milton Charboneau, Early Landowners & Settlers of Livingston County Michigan: 1828-1870 (Howell, Michigan: M. Charboneau, 1996). Hereinafter cited as Early Landowners of Livingston County.
  6. [S17] County Clerk, Hillsdale County Vital Records (Hillsdale, Michigan: County Clerk's Office, continuous and on-going), Marriage Register. Hereinafter cited as Hillsdale County Vital Records.
  7. [S126] Augusta Thomas v. Ezra Thomas, January and March Terms, A. D. 1911, Shelby County Clerk of Court, Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa.
  8. [S406] United States Census Office, 1870 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Marion, Livingston County, Michigan (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1870). Hereinafter cited as 1870 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Marion, Livingston County, Michigan.
  9. [S127] Deeds and Land Transactions (Shelby County, Iowa), Book N, p. 500, Shelby County Recorder's Office, Harlan, Iowa. Hereinafter cited as Deeds and Land Transactions (Shelby County).
  10. [S128] Deeds and Land Transactions (Shelby County, Iowa), Book S, p. 617, Shelby County Recorder's Office, Harlan, Iowa. Hereinafter cited as Deeds and Land Transactions (Shelby County).
  11. [S407] United States Census Office, 1880 U. S. Census, Population Schedule, Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880). Hereinafter cited as 1880 U. S. Census, Population Schedule, Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa.
  12. [S318] United States Census Office, 1900 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900). Hereinafter cited as 1900 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa.
  13. [S414] United States Census Office, 1910 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910). Hereinafter cited as 1910 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Washington Township, Shelby County, Iowa.
  14. [S416] United States Census Office, 1920 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Avoca Township, Steuben County, New York (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1920). Hereinafter cited as 1920 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Avoca Township, Steuben County, New York.
  15. [S146] Family Data Collection - Individual Records, Edmund West, compiler, online http://ancestry.com (Provo, Utah), downloaded 2001.