Senator from the Fifth district, composed of Union, Ringgold and Decatur counties, was born near Roseville, Warren county, Illinois, September 29, 1860. His parents, Mathew and Emaline Thomas, were of Welsh and Scotch descent. His father served in the Mexican war under General Zachary Taylor, to whom the mother of the subject of this sketch was related by blood. In 1876 the family moved to Cromwell, Iowa, where he completed a common school education. After spending a few years on the farm he engaged in the hardware and lumber business there for ten years, first as a clerk, and later as a member of the firm. In 1891 he opened a hardware store in Creston, and four years later removed to Kent to engage in the lumber and hardware business where he has since resided. Is vice president and active manager of The Kent State Savings Bank and president of the "Blue Grass Road" crossing Iowa from Burlington to Council Bluffs, having both originated and named this state highway. Has served as city alderman and for ten years as president of the local school board. Is the author of the "Blue Sky" law and the Prohibitory Amendment passed by the Thirty-sixth General Assembly. Was married September 7, 1886, at Cromwell, Iowa, to Miss Jemima I. Brown, and to them have been born two daughters and two sons. A member of the M.E. church, the M.W.A., I.O.O.F. and the W.O.W. Elected in 1912 and served in the 35th general assembly. A republican in politics.

Senator from the Fifth district, composed of Union, Ringgold and Decatur counties, was born in a log house on a farm near Roseville, Warren county, Illinois, September 29, 1860. His parents were of Welsh and Scotch descent. Shortly after his father had returned from service in the Mexican war under General Zachary Taylor, to whom his mother was related, the family moved to Cromwell, Iowa, in 1876, where he completed a common school education. After spending a short time on the farm he engaged in the hardware and lumber business as a clerk. In 1895 he opened a hardware store at Creston and four years later moved to Kent, where he has resided the past seventeen years. Is also interested in the lumber, farming and banking business, being vice president of the Kent State Savings Bank. Has served as alderman and for ten years president of the school board. He originated and named the "Blue Grass Road" that crosses Iowa from Burlington to Council Bluffs. Was married September 7, 1886, at Cromwell, Iowa, to Miss Jemima I. Brown, and to them have been born two daughters and two sons. Is a member of the Methodist church, the M.W.A., I.O.O.F., W.O.W. and the Creston Country Club. Elected senator in 1912. A republican in politics.