Carlin,
When you post, post the link to your family tree on the person you seek:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11712503/person/-413143091that helps volunteers to see what information you already have so you don't get a lot of repeated information, questions or comments. Your tree and exhibits shows a lot of good work.
The provided tree owned by "DeeHawkins54" does NOT say he was born in Franklin COunty, it just says "Franklin Idaho." The tree shows two James Thomas for the 1920 Census. One shows the correct one, the other one identifies he was born in Michigan. This tree has errors. One of the reasons you should NOT use a family tree for your own information, UNTIL you have verified the accuracy of the information provided.
I looked at his WWI Draft Registration Card image that you have shown as a source of information. It does show his birth was in Franklin, Idaho. It does not matter the County wasn't in existence in 1889. He identifies he was born in Franklin. You show his father as James Thomas, his land information is below. BUT, this land was obtained in 1880. James might have been living in Franklin in 1889 when James Gabriel Thomas was born. Franklin, the town, does exist. It is IN Franklin County. Use
http://classic.mapquest.com/ and enter the name of "Samaria" Idaho. (This is where the land was obtained, but it will show the town of Franklin to the east, within the county of Franklin).
You identified his father as being James Thomas. The Bureau of Land Management has a database of land patents issued:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx#searchTabI...Under the Homestead Act and other Congressional land acts.
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ah-homestead.htmlIt shows James Thomas obtained 160 acres of land on 6/30/1880 in Oneida County.
The land was located in Township 15 South, Range 35 East,
a. Section 23, the North half of the North East quarter of the section,
b. Section 24, the North half of the North West quarter of the section.
A James B. Thomas obtained 160 acres of land in Oneida County on 5/12/1913, Same range and township, but the South West quarter of Section 22.
Nearby named places near the 1880 patent (in order by distance):
1. Samaria; Idaho: Oneida Co. -112.3369, 42.1177, ( 4480 ft ) at a distance of 1153 m
2. Samaria Lake; Idaho: Oneida Co. -112.3208, 42.1127, ( 4396 ft ) at a distance of 1353 m
3. Thomas Davis Canyon mouth; Idaho: Oneida Co. -112.3550, 42.1041 at a distance of 1653 m
4. Dry Pine Canyon mouth; Idaho: Oneida Co. -112.3636, 42.1032 at a distance of 2369 m
Here is a topographic map of this area:
http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=12&X=48...You will see red squares on this map (zooming out, you'll see more). On this one, you'll see red colored "23" and "24." These are those Sections 23 and 24. A Section is 640 acres and is one mile in size. A quarter Section is 160 acres. His land was (from above):
a. The N. half of the NE Quarter Section: Looking at Section 23, divide it into quarters. His land was in the top right quarter (the NE Quarter), he owned the top half of that quarter (80 acres).
b. The N1/2NW, looking at Section 24, his land was the top left quarter, the top half (80 acres).
Your tree data shows you have his obituary and he is buried in the Mt Moriah Cemetery in Butte.
The 1880 Census for Bannack Valley, Samaria and community, enumerated 18 June 1880
James Thomas, age 58, born in Wales, farmer
Dorathey, 68, Wales
Joseph R, 26, Wales.
--Directly above:
William Thomas, age 25, born in Wales
--A William H and William R, obtained land in 1886/1896 in Oneida Co. William R's land was in the same area as both James above.
Ellen, 23, Wales
James B, 4, born in Idaho (perhaps the person obtaining the land in 1913).
Ann, 2, ID
Elizabeth, 7/12, ID
--Directly below James and Dorathey:
Charles Thomas, 29
Evaline, 23
Elizabeth 6
Benjamine W?, 3
--A Benjamin W obtained land on 3/15/1929 in Oneida Co.
Evaline, 1
Yes, there is a James Thomas and Jane Mills, marriage in Silver Bow, 12 July 1888. The online record shows a "(25)" following James and "(26)" following Jane. It that representing their age, or another data identifyer? This James "could" be the son of William and Ellen from the 1880 Census; but there is not enough information to prove this. You may have more proof that this James and Jane were the parents of James Gabriel Thomas, but the marriage record isn't sufficient.
You identify having the marriage certificate for James G, it might identify his parents names, which would provide the connection of proof.
You appear to know what you're doing.
Ron Bestrom
Tacoma, WA