Leslie Edwin Thomas -- Farmer

 

Leslie Edwin Thomas

Leslie Edwin Thomas was born on November 8, 1889 in the Oak Grove community of Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the fourth of ten children born to Wesley Gunn Thomas and Eliza L. Henderson Thomas.  Wesley was a native of Trigg County and Eliza was a native of Caldwell County, Kentucky.   Wesley had spent his life working as a farmer. Les’ siblings were Mattie Pearl Thomas, born in 1882 and married Mason Hamilton Hughes, Jr.; Hazie Lou Thomas, born in 1885; Eura Wesley Thomas, born in 1887 and married Lucy Pearl Lawrence; Annie Lurline Thomas, born in 1892 and married Garland Drew Bridges; Peachie Ethel Thomas, born in1894 and married Lewis Smith Terrell; James Stone Thomas, born in 1896 and married Mabel Clara Timmons; Lucian Marquess Thomas, born in 1899 and married Mayma Lewis Boyd; Luther Thompson Thomas, born in 1902 and married Mary Grace Cunningham; and Berta Adeline Thomas, born in 1905 and married Clarence Averitt Francis.

Les spent his childhood growing up in the Oak Grove community and attended the local schools.  When World War I began, he enlisted in the U. S. Army on May 25, 1918.  He served in France with Battery A of the 141 Field Artillery and was discharged from the service on April 29, 1919. He then returned home to Trigg County.

On July 29, 1919, Les married Hazel Mae Gibson while sitting in a buggy in front of the minister’s home in Crofton, Kentucky.  Their trip from Cadiz to Crofton and back by horse and buggy was a full-day trip.  Hazel was born on April 7, 1902 in Crofton which was in Christian County, Kentucky.  She was the daughter of Charles S. Gibson and Mina Belle Gladdish Gibson. Charles was a farmer and, both were natives of Christian County.

Following their marriage, Les and Hazel settled on the family farm in the Oak Grove community where Les built their first house.  In 1921 they moved to Christian County where they farmed with Hazel’s parents. After one year, they returned to Trigg County where they farmed for several years in the Oak Grove, Blue Spring, Tuggleville and Kings Chapel communities.  During World War II, they lived and worked in Evansville, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky.  After the war they returned to Cadiz where Les worked for Fuqua Undertakers for about three years.  He and Hazel started their own business of a cage laying hen operation on his brother’s farm. In 1960, they both retired and bought a house in Cadiz where they lived until their deaths.

Les and Hazel were the parents of three children, Violet Marie Thomas, born in 1920 and married Joseph William Edlin; Arthur Gibson Thomas, born in 1924 and married Lora Nell Adams; and Thelma Dean Thomas, born in 1929 and married Jesse James Curling and later married George William Dall.

Hazel died on October 23, 1972 at the age of 70 at the Trigg County Hospital. She was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz. Les died a little over two weeks later on November 10, 1972 at the age of 83 at the Trigg County Hospital.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery next to his wife.  
 

Leslie in World War I

 

 Leslie and Hazel tombstone

 

LINEAGE: (Leslie Edwin Thomas was the son of Wesley Gunn and Eliza L. Henderson Thomas and the grandson of Stanley and Emily Ann Light Thomas.  Stanley was the second child of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas.  Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)