Born:  1840;  White County, Tennessee

Died:  Maries County, Missouri

Father:  Alford Southard

Mother:  Mary Sparks

Thomas Southard arrived in Missouri with his mother and father when he was about three years of age.  The first few years were spent in Maries County before the family moved on to Laclede County.  Very little is known of Thomas' childhood.

Thomas married an unidentified woman in his early twenties and together they were preparing for their first born.  Unfortunately during the birth, there were complications so Thomas rode for help.  Enroute, he was stopped by a band of Jayhawkers, tied to a tree, beaten, and left for dead.  After coming to, he managed to escape only to find that his wife and child had already died in his absence.  It was at this time that Thomas and his younger brothers began to ride with Quantrill's guerillas.

The following year, Thomas and his brothers were to visit relatives in Maries County when they were confronted by a Union patrol.  Fearing sure death for his brothers, Thomas rode out ahead to draw the fire of the patrol, giving his younger brothers a chance to escape.  They survived, he did not.  Thomas was buried in an unmarked grave in Maries County.

Spouse:  unknown

        Married:  

        Born:  

        Died:  

   Children:

        unknown (d: infancy)