Note #1:
Witnesses:
1. Anne Kruegers
2. Casper Schult
Born in Wales, Thomas came to the United States at age 5, he grew up in
N.E. Minneapolis. He had little formal education, going only to third
grade. At age 19 he was hired as a "horse Shoer" at the Minneapolis Fire
Department. He apprenticed, then memorized the Civil Service exams so he
could pass and become a firefighter. He told his family tales of how the
horse drawn hook and ladders carts would be placed on the street car
tracks and taken to the fires. The ruts provided a fast way to move the
horse teams. One of his jobs included moving the team up and down the
streets while the fires were be extinguised. This was especially
important during winter, so the horses wouldn't freeze. His memories
included a huge fire when Boutell's furniture store burned to the ground
and the explosion and fire in Minneapolis grain elevators. Thomas moved
up the ranks at the fire station, He was a Lt. and dispatcher in
Minneapolis, running the switchborad until 1941-42, then during WWII he
was hired as plant fire marshall at the New Brighton Arsenal (firearms
plant). His picture is among other firefights are the Fire Fighters'
Museum on Broadway Ave, N.E., Minneapolis. He remarried after Doris'
death, and he and his second wife became some of the first owners of
"RV's" and traveled the United States, especially loving California and
Florida. When at home in Minneapolis, he loved telling stories and
visiting with his "old cronies" at the fire department.
Funeral Service Notice: In Loving Memory of Thomas O. Williams. Born in
Wales, march 7, 1879. Passed away July 2, 1961 at the age of 82 years, 3
months, 25 days. Services from Morris Nilsen Chapel, 6527 Portland Ave
South on Wednesday, July 5, 1961 at 2:30 p.m. Clergyman officiating: Rev.
Lester Fair. Soloist, Mr. Roy Johnson, organist, Mrs. Marion Sather.
Honorary Pallbearers, Patrick Burns, Raymond Gilmore, Clarence Dwyer,
Clarence Grant, Thomas Frenette, Walter Kling. m Pallbearers: Uniformed
Firemen, Minneapolis Fire Department. Interment, Lakewood Cemetery.1
Father: Peter Owen WILLIAMS b: 1 JAN 1856 in Denbighshire, Wales
Mother: Mary Ann EVANS b: in WalesFamily 1 Alice Maude TAPLEY b: 3 OCT 1879 in New Castle, New Brunswick, Canada
Married: 31 AUG 1901 in Minneapolis, Henn. Co, Minnesota
Children
1.Doris (Dorie) Marie WILLIAMS b: 9 JUN 1902 in Minneapolis, Henn. Co, Minnesota
2.Patricia Elizabeth WILLIAMS b: 13 APR 1919 in Minneapolis, Henn. Co, Minnesota
Here is one child gone but not forgotten. I seldom mention it to Ilene as
she gets very sad.Ilene and I lost a son Donald Meyer Moore born January 23,1952 Died Feb. 24,
1954 accidental drowning.Donald Moore 2/14/00
First husband: Johann Ernst Ludwig Bretaille, born Nov. 11, 1814. Son of Christian and Charlotta Dorothea Bretaille. He fathered Carolina Wilhelmina Bretaille(1841) then apparently died.