Samuel Benjamin Thomas

Narrative:

      Samuel Benjamin Thomas was born on 16 Jun 1893 in Craig, Holt Co., Missouri.^6,7,8
     Samuel did not appear with his parents and siblings on the 1900 Federal Census of St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 3123 Mitchell Ave. Whether he was living there and omitted in error, or living somewhere else is unknown, but he has not been found elsewhere.¹⁴
     He did appear on the 1910 Federal Census of St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, in the household of his parents, John Franklin Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth McAlexander.⁴
     Samuel enlisted in the U.S. Army 17 Apr 1917.¹⁵ He was discharged 15 Nov 1919 as a corporal in the 20th Aero Squadron.¹⁵
     Samuel married Violetta Marie Imel, daughter of Elmer Lawrence Imel and Catharine Parsels, on 20 Aug 1919 in St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, with Rev. Arthur J. McClung officiating.^2,9,10
     Samuel and Violetta appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 1825 North Nineteenth, enumerated 2 Jan 1920, reporting they rented their home.¹⁶
     He was a clerk at a building company in 1920, and a glazier at a building company by 1930.^17,18
     Samuel and Violetta appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 1518 5th Ave., enumerated 10 Apr 1930, reporting they owned a home valued at $4,000, and did not own a radio. Their son Robert was listed as living with them.¹⁹
     Samuel and Violetta appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri, at 724 North Sixth St., enumerated 13 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $22 per month, and that they had lived in the same city in 1935. Their son Robert was listed as living with them. Samuel reported he was not working nor looking for work, and had not worked the prior year. Violetta reported she was working in a hospital kitchen, and had worked 70 hours the last week of March, and 26 weeks the prior year, earning $150. Their 19-year-old son was working as a plumber's helper, and reported he had worked 48 hours the last week of March, and 46 weeks the prior year, earning $276.²⁰
     Samuel registered for the draft for World War II on 25 Apr 1942, reporting is residence as 724 North Sixth St., St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri. But his mailing address was shown as Barracks #122, Wadsworth, Kansas, and he reported he was not employed. That building was part of the Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at the time.³
     By 1950 he was again working as a glazer, now at a sash and door factory. He reported in the 1950 census he had worked 40 hours the prior week.^21,22
     Samuel and Violetta appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri, at 3001 Forest, enumerated 18 Apr 1950, reporting they lived in a home that was not on a farm.²³
     Samuel died on 18 Mar 1969 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri, at age 75.^11,7 He was buried on 21 Mar 1969 in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Jackson Co., Missouri.^12,13