1. SOURCE: 1881 history of Grundy Co.,,Missouri J. P. Thomas, M.D. p. 656 J. P. THOMAS, M. D. James P. Thomas was born in Chariton County, Missouri, September 22, 1842. His parents, William and Rachel Thomas, were both natives of Kentucky, and moved to Howard County when he was an infant. There he was reared upon a farm, and educated in the common schools of the county. When nineteen years old he came to Grundy County, and at the age of twenty-one engaged in the drug business, which he followed for ten years. Ardently desiring to practice medicine, he, at the age of thirty-five, began studies at the university at Keokuk, Iowa, where he studied during the years of 1876, '77, '78 and '79, and graduated from that institution, and began the practice of his profession at Alpha, and has been a close student and a successful practitioner. October 20, 1868, Dr. Thomas was united in marriage to Mrs. Catherine Yager, widow of Jacob Yager. Her maiden name was Mangold and she was born March 21st, 1845 in Columbus, Ohio. She married Jacob Yager in March, 1863, and he died October 30,1864. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas have seven children; named, respectively, Elizabeth, born August 15,1868, died October 20,1869; -Frank, born May 12,1870; Harry, born December 22, 1871; Charles, born June 9, 1874; Peter, born March 12, 1876; William, born April 22, 1878; J. P., born April 29, 1881.