"Joseph THOMAS, Sr. , was born in Harlan County, Ky., June 26, 1817, and is a son of James and Polly (JOHNSON) Thomas, who were North Carolinians, and after their marriage moved to Kentucky, and were among the early white settlers of Harlan County. They were about seventy-two years of age at the time of their respective deaths.

The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and during the late war was a staunch Union man. They were church members, and their union was blessed in the birth of fifteen children.

Their son Joseph began earning his own living at the age of sixteen years, and was and was a farm laborer until he was twenty-one years old. He then came to Madison County, Ark., and here he has resided since, engaged in farming.

He is a great lover of hunting, a noted shot, and has had many interesting adventures while on his hunting expeditions, all kinds of game having fallen a victim to his skill.

In 1842 he was married to Polly, a daughter of John BAILEY, an old settler of Madison County, Ark. She was born in Knox County, Tenn., in December, 1826, and became the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living: T. W., D. C., William M., Albert B., Andrew J. and D. B.

Mr. THOMAS is a Republican and in 1862 enlisted in Company G, First Arkansas Infantry, but at the end of twenty-one months was discharged on account of disability. He was in the battle of Fayetteville and several skirmishes, and was a member of the Brothers of Freedom." ." (Goodspeeds History of NW AR…)