From the Stillwater "Enterprise", Absarokee; Thursday, June 21, 1828: Mrs. Thomas Passes at the Age of 88

The funeral of Mrs. Nancy Julia Thomas, mother of Mrs. Eli Steinman and Nels Thomas of Columbus, occurred Monday afternoon in the manner of the Christian Science religion from the Congregational church, and burial was made in the Columbus cemetery.

Mrs. Thomas had been ill for some time and her advanced age and the nature of her illness was such that the frail body could not rally. She was 88 years old at the time of her death having filled life with the allotted time.

The silver cord is loosed, the golden bowl is broken, the dust has returned to the earth as it was; the spirit has returned to the God who gave it. Mrs. Julia Nancy Thomas has finished her course and reached the heavenly goal. Her sweet face made sunshine in the shady places. If strangers felt the charm of her rare courtesy and joyous sunny temperament, how much more so the members of her own household upon whom she lavished all the sweet earnestness and careful culture of her mind and nature. Strong and potent was the influence of this loving heart which gave of its gifts so generously. The spirit of her love was not weakness but strength. Gently, almost unconsciously, it coerced those coming in contact with it, to strive for it not to attain the realization of her high ideal.

Julia Nancy Stacy was born March 31, 1840, at Rushes Mills, New York, died June 16, 1928. She was a member of a family of nine children, four of whom are believed to survive. At the age of 20 years she was united in marriage to Joseph J. Thomas at Clifton, N.Y. To this union ten children were born, of whom five survive. They are: Nels Thomas and Mrs. E.H. Steinman of Columbus, Mrs. E.A. Jesse of Roundup, Mont.; Mrs. W.C. Simpson of Sanford, Fla.; and Mrs. Florence G. Dille of St. Paul, Minn. She is also survived by four brothers, Peter J. Stacey, Fred Stacy, who reside in eastern states; eleven grand children and six great grand children.

Her religious affiliations were cast with the Christian Scientists, which faith she had adhered to for a number of years. That organization being in charge of the funeral services which were held at the Congregational church on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. She had been ill for nearly a year and passed away peacefully.

In 1901 she came to Montana and had since resided alternately at the homes of her son, Nels Thomas and daughter, Mrs. Steinman. She had a wide acquaintance among the local people who mourn her demise, which was evidenced by the large funeral cortage and the large floral tributes sent by former neighbors of both the Stillwater valley and Columbus.

The pall bearers were selected from among her old time friends of this locality, who were Walter Yonce, Mike Krentz, L.B. Banks, John Seeley, Victor Herington and John Steinman.