Joel Thomas

Rush Creek - 
JOEL THOMAS, farmer; P. O., Rushsylvania.  Joel Thomas was a native of Wales, who emigrated to America, and died in the city of Detroit, Mich., and Joel Thomas, his son, was a native of New York, but who, emigrating to Ohio, was one of the earliest settlers of Champaign Co.  He settled on "Pretty Prairie," in said county, and, with his father, followed driving cattle to Detroit during the war of 1812.  Joel Thomas, son of latter and grandson of the former Joel Thomas, was born Dec. 25, 1811, on "Pretty Prairie," Champaign Co., Ohio.  On the 1st day of July, 1838, he joined hands with Rachel Leonard, born May 26, 1816, in Washington Co., Pa., and these pioneers have passed through forty years of their country's history together.  They have had the following children, who were born as follows - Phebe Jane, born May 10, 1839; Mary Ann, Nov. 3, 1840, died when 11 months old; Sarah Ellen, born Jan. 17, 1843, died Jan. 8, 1866; George Washington born July 17, 1845; William L., Sept. 14, 1847; Elizabeth, Apr. 6, 1853, died Sep. 12, 1879; John B., born Apr. 6, 1853, and Angeline, Aug. 12, 1855.  Our subject was one of the pioneers of Logan Co., and of Rush Creek Twp.  He settled on the head waters of Miami, which was then a wilderness, and what is called Miami farm was paid for with money earned at the rate of three shillings per day.  The head spring of the Miami was on his farm.  He heard George McCullouch preach his first sermon, and heard Dr. Gray Eyes, the Indian preacher, preach in the cabin of his father-in-law, Ebenezer Zane.  He was an eye-witness to the terrific tornado of 1827, and has eaten bear meat in the cabin of Ebenezer Zane.  Although bowed with the infirmities of age, his memory is still rich with pioneer reminiscences, which he relates with the vigor of youth.  Of this family, three are dead, and the balance, all save one, are married and settled in different sections of the country.  Two reside in Hardin Co., one in Sandusky city, one in Livingston Co., Ill., and one, a son, remains at home.  Farming pursuits and stock-raising, especially horses, engross his attention in his declining years.
Source:  History of Logan County and Ohio - Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and portraits ~ Page 702