The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
IVAN B. THOMAS.
The history of agricultural interests in Champaign county would be incomplete without mention of Ivan B. Thomas, a well known farmer of Salem township, whose birth occurred January 30, 1832, at the place of his present residence. His father was Colonel John Thomas, a native of Maryland, who was reared and educated in Hagerstown and on emi- grating westward when a young man, located in Ross county, Ohio, coming to Champaign county about 1807. He took up his abode on a farm in 'Kings Creek and became a leading and influential citizen of the community. He was Colonel of a militia regiment in the war of 181 2, and made his home in this county at the time when all was so wild that it was necessary to have a block house upon his farm in order to secure protection against Indians. For thirty-three years he served as justice of the peace and his fidelity to duty was most marked as is indicated by his long continuance in the position. He held membership in the Method- ist Protestant church and his home was always open for the reception of ministers of any denomination who came to the neighborhood. He voted the Whig ticket in early life, supported Clay and Harrison and was al-
ways fearless in defense of his honest convictions. His death occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Alary Johnson, was bom in Pennsylvania in 1802 and when two years of age was brought to Ohio, while in 1806 she became a resident of Champaign county. Her death occurred in her eighty-fifth year. Her father, Jacob Johnson, removed from the Keystone state to Ohio in pioneer times and was numbered among- the honored and worthy pioneers of Champaign county. Mr. Thomas, the father of our subject, was twice married, his first union being with Miss Anna Morris of Pickaway county. They had a large family of whom but two are living : William and Josephus. both residents of Wayne township, Champaign county. Unto the parents of our subject were born five children, of whom Ivan P>. 'I homas is the eldest and the only survivor.
Tjpon the home farm, where he is yet living, our subject was reared and his education was pursued in a log school house near by, seated with hewed log seats and supplied with a puncheon floor. As soon as old enough to handle a plow he began work in the fields and has since been an active factor in the cultivation of the soil. In connection with his brother he carries on a grain business, as a member of the firm of Ivan B. Thomas & Brother, their elevator being located in Kennerd. Mr. Thomas became connected with this line of commercial activity in 1866 and is still engaged therein, being the oldest grain merchant in the county. His operatic ins in this line, however, have not demanded all of his at- tention for he has always carried on farming. He is likewise one of the stockholders in the Citizens National Bank and has been one of its di- rectors from 1878 until the present year. 1902.
In 187O Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Lucretia Burnett, a native of Tuscarawas countv, Ohio, who was there reared and educated. Our subject and his wife now have four children: Edward B., Robert P., Mara and Roy J.
For nine years Mr. Thomas filled the office of justice of the peace and the prompt and faithful manner in which he has ever discharged his duties has won him the confidence and commendation of all concerned . He is a stanch Republican, having voted for that party since he cast his first ballot for Fremont in 1856. He has also been judge of elections, acting in that capacity throughout the period of the Civil war. His fellow townsmen have often solicited him to become a candidate for county offices but he has always refused, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests in which he has met with very gratifying success.
Under the call of then Governor Tod, of Ohio, for minute- men to protect the state at the time that General Kirby Smith was in Kentucky and threatening Cincinnati, our subject went as a private to the defense of that city and when the danger was over returned. In 1861, our subject belonged to the state militia, served as captain and retained that position until they were honorably discharged.
Source: Biographical Record of Champaign County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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