The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 587 WILLIAM R. THOMAS. William R. Thomas, who has extensive property holdings in Kittitas county, has here resided since July 27, 1886, or for a third century. He was born in Transylvania county, North Carolina, January 9, 1858, a son of Alson and Lavar (McCall) Thomas. They removed to Tennessee when their son William was a small lad, settling in Knox county, and later they returned to North Carolina, where both the father and mother passed away. In young manhood William R. Thomas worked at bridge building for railway companies and on the 27th of July, 1886, he made his way to the northwest, taking tip his abode in Kittitas county, Washington, where he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, with which he remained for four and a half years. In 1890 he purchased a small farm, which he sold in 1893. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and that he has since added to his holdings as opportunity has offered is indicated in the fact that he is now the owner of five hundred and eighty acres nine miles northeast of Ellensburg. He also has six hundred and eighty acres of range land and more than two hundred acres in cultivation. His fields annually produce big crops because of the thoroughness and system with which he cultivates his land and the progressive methods which he follows in all that he undertakes. He is conducting a successful dairy business and he is also engaged in the raising of cattle. He keeps full blooded shorthorns and also has crossed his shorthorns with Herefords. He likewise raises some horses and his livestock interests are an important feature of his business. Mr. Thomas has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Harriett Hart, of North Carolina, who passed away leaving two children: Mrs. Annie McKeene, of Seattle; and Gertrude, deceased. For his second wife Mr. Thomas chose Miss Bessie Cleveland, of Illinois, by whom he had eight children, as follows: Gertrude, the wife of William Swan, a rancher residing near Olympia; Wilbern: Mrs. Emma Cyril, of Tacoma; Harry and James, at home; Veta, who died in February, 1919, at the age of sixteen years: William R., Jr., at home; and Margie, residing in Kent, Washington. In his fraternal relations Mr. Thomas is a Mason and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and the welfare of his children, in whom his interest centers. Long residence in this, section of the country and close identification with its interests has made him a typical representative of the northwest and by reason of his many sterling traits of character he stands as a typical American citizen. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.