A blacksmith forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil.
Illinois became a state in 1818. A large influx of American settlers came in the 1810s by the Ohio River.
Francis (Frank) John Thomas was born about 1844 in Toronto, Canada. His parents were John Morgan Thomas and Mary Lewis. He was a piano builder.
At the time of the 1871 census, a 27 year old Frank Thomas appeared in Hamilton, St. Mary's Ward. No occupation was given.
Frank married Josephine Mickler (Mickeler). Josephine was born on March 19, 1851 in Wittenberg, Germany. Her parents were Caspar Mickler and Mary Heim.
Frank and Josephine's children were Francis Thomas (1874), Verona Cecilia Thomas Horlick (1876), Lilias Thomas (1878), and Walter Edward Thomas (1880).
Frank died when he was 38 years old on October 18, 1880 of cirrhosis & Bright's disease of the liver in York County. His occupation on his death certificate was piano finisher. He was buried at St. James on October 21. The Reverend S. J. Boddy officiated.
When the 1881 census was taken ,Verona was living with her grandparents, the Micklers, in Preston, Waterloo South, Ontario. The census also listed her with the widow "Jessie" Thomas age 30 in St. Andrew's Ward. At that time, Francis was 7, "Verona" was 5, Lilias was 3 and Edward was 1.
After his death, Josephine married blacksmith Thomas Goodman on January 1, 1884. They immigrated to the United States and lived in Cook County, Illinois.
The city of York was incorporated as Toronto on March 6, 1834. The city grew and developed significantly during the the 19th century. The Irish famine brought a large number of Irish immigrants to the city and they became the largest ethnic group.
Nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys. It can be caused by an infection, but is most commonly caused by autoimmune disorders that affect major organs. It was called Bright's Disease.
The first European settlements in Ontario were after the American Revolution when 5,000 loyalists left the new United States.
