Both the Thomas and Wentworth families represented made important contributions to the
history of Wisconsin in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Winfield Wentworth Thomas was born in Milwaukee, in 1879, to Richard J. and Florence
Wentworth Thomas. W. W. Thomas' father helped establish Bebb, Thomas & Co. in 1872.
The company's name was modified several times over the next twenty years and was also known
as the Thomas, Badgley & Wentworth Mfg. Co., The Thomas & Wentworth Mfg.
Co., and finally, The Thomas Brass & Iron Co. The company was, according to its
stationary, a manufacturer of "steam goods; gas fitters', brewers', and plumbers' supplies;
and dealers of wrought iron pipe fittings." The company was incorporated in 1882.
Florence Wentworth Thomas' father was Robert B. Wentworth, supposedly a direct descendant
of Reginald Wentworth, owner of the lordship of Wentworth, Yorkshire at the time of the
Norman Conquest in 1066. He was born in Buxton, Maine in 1827. In 1848 he moved to Madison,
Wisconsin, and was the state printer through 1850-1852. After that, he moved to Juneau and
founded the Dodge County Gazette, one of the first newspapers
printed in that county. In 1857, he moved to Portage, Wisconsin and purchased the Independent, which he changed to the Portage City Record. In the meantime he helped to organize the Wisconsin Press
Association in 1853 and served as secretary at its first meeting.
Later, Robert B. Wentworth went into the grain business, constructing a large grain
elevator on the bank of the ship canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. He also
helped to organize the Portage & Green Bay Transportation Co., which for many years
operated a line of steamboats and barges between Portage and Green Bay. In addition he was
involved in organizing the Portage Hosiery Co., which manufactured socks for the lumber
industry, and the City Bank of Portage.
Florence Wentworth Thomas' mother was Lydia Pike, a direct descendant of Major Robert Pike
who was in charge of the forces east of the Merrimac river at the time of the French and
Indian war.
