Thomas Alexander Mayes was born December 31, 1854, in West Newton, Westmorland Co., PA, son of Charles A. and Sarah Jane (Graham) Mayes.  He was from a family of farmers and lumbermen, and came to Jefferson County in 1870, purchasing a farm in Warsaw Township.  In 1874, he married Anna Elizabeth Vasbinder, daughter of T. M. and Eliza Vasbinder, and lived on that farm for forty years.  During that time they became the parents of 5 children.  He continued as a farmer selling livestock, erected a cold storage plant on the farm and did butchering, developing a large business.  He was a member of the Republican party and was elected Sheriff in 1911, moving his family to Brookville so he could serve in that position.At that time it was the custom for the wife of the sheriff to cook meals for the prisoners.   

Anna died in 1926 and was buried in the Temple Cemetery, near their farm at Hazen.  Thomas A. died in 1937 and is buried beside her.

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