Pvt. Alexander P. (F) Thomus (Thoms)

Pvt. Alexander P. (F) Thomus (Thoms)

 
       From the Academy Civil War Monument Attended the Elgin Academy.

       From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois

D Co. 8th Ill. Cav.

Farnsworth’s Regiment

   19 year old Farmer.
   Issued .56 Spencer 7 shot carbine, revolver, and a saber.

       From the Post #49 Files
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Sept. 2, 1884.

       Obit: Feb. 24, 1913 issue The Elgin Daily News.
   Alexander P. Thoms, one of the oldest residents of this section, one of the best known members of the G.A.R. and a business man of the city many years, died suddenly this morning at his home, 624 South street.
   He was at his place of business, 155 Milwaukee street (present day Highland Ave.) on Saturday and yesterday complained of pain near his heart.  Dr. O.L. Pelton prescribed for him and he was cautioned to keep quiet for a few days and forbidden to leave his bed.
   This morning he was feeling much better and at 10 o'clock was resting comfortabley.  His sons, Will and Lawrence, left the house, being absent for five minutes.
   When they returned their father was lying upon a couch in the living room and was breathing faintly.  He died a few minutes later.
   Dr. Pelton, who was called stated that death was due to neuralgia of the heart and that it had been sudden and painless.
   Mr. Thoms was born July 9, 1842, in Glasgow, Scotland, and was a son of one of the early settlers of Elgin township.  The family came to Elgin in 1850.
   The family resided for many years on the farm which was owned by Capt. Thoms three miles west of this city.
   At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Illinois cavalry and served in that gallant regiment through the campaigns of the great struggle.
   He was one of the oldest agents of the sewing machine trade in the west and had been established in business here for more than thirty years.  He had been a member of the First Baptist church many years.
   He was a member of Veteran Post No. 49 G.A.R. and of Silver leaf camp of Woodmen, was one of the organizers of the Elgin Scottish society and was for several years its president.  He was also a member of the Elgin Waltonian club.   He was president of the Elgin Scientific society and was a member of Kane Lodge I.O.O.F.
   Will and Lawrence, sons reside here and John and Alexander in Chicago.  There are two daughters, Mrs. Elmer Brentnall, who lives at Salt Lake City and Mrs. Frank Brown of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
   He was survived by six brothers and two sisters.

       From the 1956 Kane Co. Honor Roll

Interred at - Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.
Location - Lot 222, Section 11

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.