Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 2nd ed., 1885, Butler Co. ERASTUS O. THOMAS was born in Butler County, Ky., September 29, 1866, and is the eldest of eight children born to George S. and Martha Elizabeth (Cook) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Henderson County, Ky., August 31, 1836, and the latter born in Butler County in 1845, and the only daughter of James Monroe and Mary D. (Kuykendall) Cook. George S. Thomas received a fair common school education in his native county in his youth. At the breaking out of the late civil war he enlisted in the First Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, known as the North Wood Volunteers, Col. Helm commanding, and served with that regiment in all its marches and engagements until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and many others on the Tennessee and the Cumberland Rivers, and was once slightly wounded. Soon after the close of the war he removed to Morgantown, Butler County, where he still resides, and where he owns one of the best residences in the county, two well improved farms of 300 acres adjoining the village, and is one of the principal owners of the Morgantwon steam-mill. He and wife are devoted members of the Methodist Protestant Church. George S. Thomas is a son of Owen Thomas and Betsy Elizabeth (Ashby) Thomas, the former of whom was a native of Henderson and the latter a native of Daviess County, Ky., and were descended from old Virginian English stock. Owen Thomas' father settled in Henderson County, Ky., at an early day. He was a prosperous farmer and a devoted member of the Methodist Church. Owen Thomas was three times married, George S. being the second child of the second wife's family, of whom there were six in all. Erastus O. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, received a good common school education, and was employed on his father's farm and in his tobacco warehouse until June, 1883, when he went to Rockfield, Warren Co., Ky., where he was employed as a salesman in a drug store for several months; he was then engaged in the fruit tree business for a short time, after which he attended a high school or academy for some five or six months. In March, 1885, he opened a grocery, provision and hardware store at Aberdeen, Butler Co., Ky. He carries a well selected stock in his line, and is securing quite an extensive and remunerative trade. He also intends opening a hotel at the same place in the near future. Mr. Thomas was married, April 3, 1884, to Anna E. Porter, also a native of Butler County, Ky., born December 10, 1866. One daughter gladdens their home - Ava Ellen. Mr. Thomas belongs to no church or secret order. He is not yet a voter, but holds to the Democratic faith. Thomas Cook Kuykendall Helm Ashby Porter = Henderson-KY Daviess-KY Warren-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/butler/thomas.eo.txt