John Henry Thomas was the son of Henry Thomas and Carolyn "Carrie" M. Rusche. Henry and Carrie were born in Kentucky, Henry in 1871 and Carrie in 1867. Both were of German heritage and had been married about 1891. The couple made their home in Covington, Kentucky and in 1910 Henry worked at a tile factory in Covington. Carrie worked in a grocery store and had by 1910 given birth to 6 children, 5 of whom were still living. The children were Marie born about 1894, John Henry born in 1895, Katherine born about 1901, George born about 1904 and lastly Margaret born about 1906. At the time of the taking of the 1910 Federal Census it was recorded that Marie who was 16-years old at the time was working as a pants maker for a tailor in Covington. John Henry who was then 14-years old was working as an errand boy for a local dry goods store.

At the age of 22-years John Henry Thomas was at the age he was required to register for the first call up for the Federal Draft during WWI. He did so on June 5, 1917 and at the time he was single, living in Newport, Kentucky and worked as a crane operator for a company in Newport. Once in the army he was placed into the armys 64th Coastal Artillery Corps, and likely due to him being a heavy equipment operator was selected as a Wagoner. This was a rank in the army, which no longer exists but the job was basically a truck driver. Many of the men in the fastly expanding army of WWI were just farm boys and many had not had experience with modern equipment, let alone ever being more that a few miles from home. Now the men would have to learn new skills and leave the country, something that was not a small task given the innocence of most of the men just coming into the army at that time.

Wagoner John Henry Thomas served in the Headquarters Company of the 64th Artillery, sailed to France and returned with the regiment after the war. The rest of his story is not known but what is known is that he served his country in her time of need and that we all should remember his service to his beloved country, still Free today because of men like Wagoner John Henry Thomas, who answered her call for help.

John Henry Thomas passed away in Campbell County, Kentucky on December 2, 1952 and lies today buried in the Mother of God Cemetery in Kenton Vale, Kentucky.