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William H. H. Thomas, senior member of the law firm of Thomas & Horine,
at Hillsboro, is a native of Washington County, Mo., born June 10, 1839.
His parents, James W. and Eliza (Johnson) Thomas, were natives of Virginia, 

where they were reared and married.  In 1826 they removed to Washington 

County, Mo., where they remained until 1845, at which date they came to 

Jefferson County, on Big River, and here the father died the same year.  

The family afterward removed to Arcadia, in Iron County for educational 

purposes.  The mother died in Hillsboro in 1875.  Both parents were, for 

many years, faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The 

father was well educated, and was a teacher by profession; was also 

justice of the peace for many years in Washington County, Mo.  His father, 

John Thomas, was a Revolutionary soldier. William H. H. was reared 

principally by the filial care of a mother, and received his education at 

the common schools, and at J. C. Berryman's College, at Arcadia. Before 

finishing his education he took up the study of law, and was admitted to 

the bar before he was nineteen years of age. In 1858 he began his practice 

at Steelville, but in 1859 removed to Texas County, Mo., where he continued 

the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the late war.  He 

then enlisted in Gen. Bride's recruiting command, and in the fall of 1862 

was promoted to adjutant of J. D. White's regiment of M. M. Parson's brigade,
Confederate States army, in which capacity he served with valor and credit 

until the close of the war, operating mostly in Arkansas, in the battles of 

Prairie Grove, Helena, and a great many minor engagements. He was severely 

wounded in the mouth, which disabled him from duty some months. In the spring 

of 1864 he was captured on the Arkansas River, taken to New Orleans, from 

there to Governor's Island, and then to Fort Delaware, where he was held a 

prisoner until May, 1865, and then released on parole.  Mr. Thomas then went 

to Arkansas, where he farmed until 1867, after which he returned to Jefferson 

County, and has since made a successful career at his chosen profession, being 

a member of the most substantial and successful law firm in Jefferson County.  

From 1868 until 1880 he was a member of the firm of John L. Thomas & Bro.
He was married in 1868 to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Solomon and Sallie Brill, 

formerly of Virginia.  Mrs. Thomas was born in Washington County, Mo., and to 

their marriage were born five children, all living. Mr. Thomas is a Democrat 

in his political belief, and cast his first presidential vote for S. A. Douglas, 

in 1860.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife is a member of 

the Methodist Episcopal Church South.