Biography of W. S. Thomas, Bowie County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: V Richardson Date: Apr 2000 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm *********************************************************** W. S. Thomas, now deceased, and for several years a prominent attorney, was a native of West Virginia, born in Clarksburg, that state, and at the time of his death on August 16, 1914, was forty-five years old. He was a class-mate of Dr. Geo. Able and J. R. Wilson. Both of whom attained prominence, as physician and surgeon, and as State Senator, respectively, both now are dead, and with whom Mr. Thomas when quite a young man, came to Bowie County, and in 1891, married Miss Lillian Ball, a daughter of the late Dr. I. M. Ball of New Boston. Soon after coming to Bowie he began the study of law, was admitted to the bar, rising rapidly to a high rank in his profession. Subsequently, he was associated with R. D, Hart, and J. Q. Mahaffey, under the firm name "Hart, Mahaffey, and Thomas", and was a member of this very able legal firm until his death. W. S. Thomas was a scholar of fine attainments, with brilliant intellect, good judgement and legal acumen, and withal, a whole-soul, big-heated judgement and legal acumen, and withal, a whole-soul, big heated and loyal friend, and particularly noted for his many disinterested sets of kindness to the worthy poor and needy. This admirable trait is often recalled by his many friends, and numerous instances are o ften related. From their union, three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, all now living - One son, Mitchell B. Thomas, 29 years of age, Lou Ball Thomas, now occurring a lucrative position in Clarksville, Texas; and Hallie Belle, the youngest daughter, who, on August 18, 1916, became the wife of A. S. Watlington, Jr. and are now residing in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he is Secretary- treasurer, and Manager of he Texarkana Battery Company. Mrs. Lillian Thomas, the beloved wife and mother died on June 23, 1905, and her remains are at rest with her husband's in State Line Cemetery, Texarkana.