Henry Thoma
The man who introduced Holstein cattle in Grayson County, farmer, nurseryman and landscape gardener, is Herman Thoma of Flowing Wells, who came to Grayson County in 1869. 
Mr. Thoma came to America from Germany in 1867, a lad of 21 years, landing at Baltimore, Md., and going to Wells County, Indiana, where he taught school and engaged in gardening and the nursery business until he came to Texas.  In the fall of 1877 he opened a general store at Martin Springs, now known as Flowing Wells, and added to this beginning of a community a gin, a grist mill and a postoffice.  Mr. Thomas continued in these businesses for eighteen years and was successful in all of them. 
In 1878 he married Miss Mary J. Sawyers.  Four daughters, Ada, Clara, Beulah and Mabel were born to this union. 
In 1888 Mr. Thoma purchased some 200 acres of land five miles east of Flowing Wells where he built a two-story home and where he still resides. 
Mrs. Thoma died in 1905 and two daughters Ada and Beulah, married and died in recent years.  Miss Clara Thoma has remained at home with her father and Miss Mabel Thoma is teaching in the Fort Worth schools. 
Mr. Thoma is a Mason and a member of the Presbyterian church. 
When active his hobby was gardening and landscaping, as well as the raising of fine stock. 

Special to the Democrat
POTTSBORO - Herman Thoma, 86-years-old, died at his home two miles west of Pottsboro Wednesday at 10:05 a.m. after an illness of six weeks and funeral services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. from the home with Rev. Ray Short of Pottsboro and the Rev. S.J. Hodges of Denision officiating.  Burial will be at Georgetown Cemetery. 
Pallbearers will be Henry Guilloud, J.H. Taylor, Henry Ruddell, T.B. Johnson, E.C. Looney, all of Pottsboro and A.S. Noble of Sherman. 
Surviving are two daughters, Miss Clara Thoma of Pottsboro and Miss Mabel Thoma, a teacher in the Fort Worth schools; and three grandchildren, Miss Viola Grissom, a nurse at St. Paul's sanitarium at Dallas, Miss Fern Grissom and Paul Grissom of Sherman. 
Mr. Thoma was born in Germany Nov. 3, 1846, and came to this country when 21 years old.  He had been residing in this community about 45 years and when Martin Springs was a postoffice he served as postmaster and ran the store there. His wife, Mary Jane Sawyer Thoma, died in 1905.

Death Certificate information adds that his father was Augusta Thoma born in Germany and mother Mary Jane Jargers, born in Tennessee.