The Thomas Families of Clark County, Ohio

THOMAS P. THOMAS, farmer; P. O. Dialton; was born in Bucks County Penn., Feb. 19, 1807. He is the son of William and Susan (Hanway) Thomas, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Delaware, and of Welsh extraction. Thomas emigrated to this county in 1827 and located in German Township, and took for wife Phoebe Kizer, May 20,1830. In 1835, he moved to Pike Township and purchased the farm where he now resides. Mr. Thomas is the father of six children, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. Mrs. Thomas was summoned from earth to heaven Feb 3, 1872, at the advanced age of 64 years 8 months and 14 days. In 1873, Mr. Thomas married his second wife, Anna D. Pence. Mr. Thomas has at present 100 acres of land under a good state of cultivation and a nice, commodious farm-house and many material improvements to correspond, and has won a large circle of friends.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM THOMAS, proprietor and owner of the Indian Mound Fruit Farm, in Pike Township, comes of one of the old pioneer families of Clark County. He was born in German Township, this county, March 6, 1831, and is a son of Thomas P. and Phoebe (Kiser) Thomas, and grandson of Leonard Thomas.

Leonard Thomas was born in Pennsylvania, whither his father had come from England in the days of William Penn, and he lived to the remarkable age of 100 years. Leonard Thomas resided in his native state until 1815, when he came west and located in German Township,' Clark County, Ohio, at a time when it was largely a wilderness. He subsequently moved to Preble County, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-four years, longevity being a marked characteristic of this family.

Thomas P. Thomas was born in Pennsylvania and was about sixteen years old when he accompanied his parents west to Clark County. He had, prior to that time, worked in a factory, but upon coming here turned his attention to farming, assisting in clearing the home farm. After his marriage he and his wife were given a farm of 160 acres by her father, and they moved upon it, this being the farm on which their son William now lives. He cleared the laud, assisted by his eldest son, and continued to reside here until his death in 1891. He held large landed interests in the far west, which at his death were valued at $35,000.00. He was joined m marriage with Phoebe Kiser, who was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and was very yoimg when in 1811 she accompanied her parents to Clark County, Ohio, where her father, David Kiser, became the first county recorder. Her maternal grandfather, Thomas Norman, was a member of the historical "Boston Tea Party," and was also a pioneer citizen of Clark County, Ohio. The latter came in 1812 on horseback from Virginia and carried in his saddlebags seed for one of the first orchards grown in this vicinity. Thomas P. and Phoebe Thomas reared five children: William; David K., of Iowa; Susan, widow of John Holzhauer; Simeon A., of Iowa; and Mary, wife of George Brooks, deceased.

William Thomas was born in a log cabin on his grandfather's farm and was about four years old when his parents moved to Pike Township, where he grew to maturity. He well remembers the trip, first the visit at Dayton and a few months later the coming to his present place. He attended the old log schoolhouse and later the high schools at New Carlisle and Springfield. He engaged in teaching school for a period of nine years and met with success as an instructor. As a young man he assisted his father in clearing the home farm and lived there until he was married. He then farmer for himself a short time in Pike Township, after which he spent four years at St. Paris, at the end of which time he located at Millerstown. He remained there two years during the Civil War, then moved to Auglaize County, where he still owns a farm of eighty acres. About 1894 he returned to his present farm, known as the Indian Mound Fruit Farm. Here he first set out some 200 trees and has added thereto from time to time until he now has the finest orchard in Clark County, consisting of apples, cherries, plums and peaches, in addition to berries and small fruits' of all kinds. He conducts his business along modern and approved plans.

and is frequently called upon to read a paper before the Horticultural Society, of which he is a member.

Mr. Thomas was married September 18, 1856, to Martha Moore, a daughter of John and Rachel (Tannehill) Moore. Her father was a soldier in the War of 3812, and upon one occasion killed a hostile Indian in the woods. Six children were born to bless this union, as follows: Clinton, who died young; John Charles, of Auglaize Comity, married Hulda Jane Swartz; Phoebe Jane, deceased, wife of John Hiderman; Laura, wife of Ellsworth Birt; Ida, wife of William Henning; and William, who married Harriet Lipp. Mr. Thomas has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for more than forty years. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, but has never aspired to political honors.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN H. THOMAS, manufacturer of agricultural implements, Springfield. John Henry Thomas, in all that relates to the moral health, business prosperity, industrial progress and general advancement of Springfield, is unquestionably one of its foremost men, having been, ever since his advent in this city, thirty years ago, one of the few to whose enterprise, energy and public spirit the almost phenomenal growth and uniform business prosperity of the city is largely due. He was born in Middletown, Frederick Co., Md., Oct. 4, 1826, the son of Jacob Thomas of that place; Marshall College. Mercersburg, Penn. was his alma water, from which he graduated in 1849; he commenced reading law with Hon. S. W. Andrews, of Columbus, Ohio, completing his course with the Hon. William White, of this city, to which he came in 1851; after two years’ practice, he was the recipient of a flattering tribute to his popularity and hold upon the confidence and esteem of the public, by being chosen Reeorder of Clark County. which was the more complimentary by reason of his. then brief citizenship. At the close of his official term, he abandoned the law and politics, and engaged in what has proved his life work, commencing business under the firm. name of Thomas & Mast, for the manufacture of agricultural implements, in 1857, under the disadvantages of small capital and limited resources, and in a year memorable as one of the periods of universal financial disaster and ruin, its masterly management from the outset carried it successfully through the commercial. industrial and financial chaos of that terrible year, and, in a few years, it had steadily, but rapidly and healthfully, advanced to the magnificent measure of $1,000,000 of annual sales, and the employment of several hundred hands. In the times which tried to the utmost the financial ability of the stanchest concerns, and the skill and nerve of their proprietors, when others were inert, paralyzed and dazed, by the almost universal ruin and shaking up of values, Mr. Thomas, with his able coadjutor and honored fellow citizen, Mr. P. P. Mast, carried their establishment through with unimpaired credit, the stronger for the ordeal. Mr. Thomas remained at the head of this house until 1872, withdrawing in that year, with the purpose of retiring from active business. His energetic nature and active habits of life, however. prompted him, after a rest of two years, to resume the business of manufacturing, associating with him his two sons, William S. and Findley B. Thomas; he accordingly established the present large establishment of John H. Thomas & Sons, for the manufacture of agricultural implements, chiefly of horse hay-rakes and steam engines; an idea of the volume of the business done by this firm may be had by reference to the industrial department of this work. On behalf of his two sons, the junior partners of the concern, Mr. Thomas purposes investing the entire future profits of the business in its extension. Aside from Mr. Thomas' private enterprise and its marked success, he has ever been a promoter of all public enterprises, improvements and advancement, and the city's welfare in every respect. He is a stockholder in three and a Director of one of the National Banks of the city, and connected generally now, as in the past, with nearly all its important corporations and industries, and as Chairman of the Finance Committee in the City Council, of which he was many years a member; he distinguished himself as an able financier, richly meriting the sobriquet, “ watch-dog of the city treasury," and to his strong influence and efforts while in that position is greatly due the present healthy condition of the city’s finances. Mr. Thomas' high position in the community is all the more creditable when viewed in connection with his political faith, he being an uncompromising Jeffersonian Democrat, in a community that is counted a Republican stronghold, almost all of his business associates and personal friends being “ stalwart ” Republicans. Although a modest and reserved man, who never projected his views or convictions in politics or religion into public notice, his political predilections have frequently caused him much personal inconvenience and annoyance, especially during the late war with the South, during which his loyalty was absurdly questioned by that thoughtless, unreasoning and arbitrary class of which every community is unfortunately largely composed. But, despite insult and the estrangement of friends and old associates, he stood firmly by his principles, his adherence to which the louie of events and subsequent experience have not shaken. His influence extended to State as well as local politics, he receiving, in 1868, the nomination to Congress from the Eighth District, and a higher tribute could not be paid him than the result of that election, in which he reduced a usual Republican majority of 3,000 to about 100. He has ever been a strong, active, able and effective advocate, in private and public life, of temperance, and it was upon the strength of his broad and practical views on this question that he was returned to the City Council in 1875. In all the relations of life, Mr. Thomas was ever deemed eminently reliable, and the exponent of the greatest firmness of purpose and integrity of motive, having an abundance of the quality vulgarly but appropriately called " backbone." His religious faith is Presbyterian, he being a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is also one of the most liberal supporters. The position of Mr. Thomas. and family in social life, is of course of the best. In 1854, he married Mary, youngest daughter of the Hon. Jacob Bouser, of Chillicothe, their family consisting of two sons and two daughters. Mr. Thomas has three brothers living in Springfield, and also engaged in manufacturing agricultural implements, viz., Joseph W., Charles E. and R. P. Thomas, of the firm of Thomas, Ludlow & Rodgers, whose business is also very extensive. Although no necessity exist for further effort or devotion to business, being in excellent health and possessed, even yet, of much of his old-time ardor and energy, Mr. Thomas is to be found daily at his post, finding the greatest pleasure in the discharge of its duties.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HON. JOHN H. THOMAS. The death of John H. Thomas, which took place at his home on East High Street, Springfield, January 23, 1901, removed from this city a man whose business success, public spirit and sterling character, identified him for all time with the agencies which contributed largely to the upbuilding of this section. Mr. Thomas was born October 4, 1826, at Middletown, Maryland, a son of Jacob and Sophia (Bowlus) Thomas.

After satisfactorily completing the public school course, Mr. Thomas entered Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1849. He then turned his attention to the study of law, entering the office of Hon. S. W. Andrews, at Columbus, Ohio, and, in 1851, that of William White, then the leading attorney at Springfield. For two years after admission to the bar, he continued to practice law at Springfield, and was then chosen county recorder, a rather unusual taken of appreciation, as Mr. Thomas had so recently become a resident of Clark County. In the meanwhile this section was just awakening to the possibilities afforded in the direction of manufacturing, and Mr. Thomas was one of the first to take advantage of the situation. He entered into partnership with P. P. Mast and they founded the well known agricultural implement firm of Thomas and Mast, and upon so sound a foundation, that it weathered the storms of financial depression in 1857, continued to grow in importance, and within a few years ranked with the largest in the state. Mr. Thomas remained a member of this firm until 1872.

In 1874, after two years of rest, Mr. Thomas re-entered the manufacturing field in partnership with his two sons, Wilham S. and Findlay B. They erected the large plant which stands on South Limestone Street and there The Thomas Manufacturing Company began, which still continues the extensive manufacture of all kinds of agricultural implements, having established a reputation second to none in the specialties of hay machinery, harrows and grain drills. William S. Thomas is president of the above mentioned company, as well as its treasurer, and Findlay B. is also associated in the business of manufacturing farm implements.

For very many years, the late John H. Thomas stood as one of Springfield's most public-spirited citizens. He sei-'ed on the City Council with marked usefulness and was chosen a member of various civic boards, at the time of his death being a member of the Snyder Park Board. He was a stanch member of the Democratic party and was held in such esteem by its leaders that in 1868 he was nominated for Congress and still later was made the Democratic standard-bearer for the United States Senate against Hon. Calvin S. Brice. The duties of every office he held were performed with the ability and capacity which marked the management of his private affairs.

In 1854, Mr. Thomas was married to Mary Bonser, who was the youngest daughter of Hon. Jacob Bonser, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and they had four children, namely: William S., who is president of the Mad River National Bank of Springfield and of The Thomas Manufacturing Company; Findlay B., who is prominent also in the business life of Springfield; Nellie, who is the wife of Judge A. N. Summers; and Mabel, who is the wife of L. P. Matthews. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was always a liberal supporter of its many charitable enterprises. His private philanthropics were numerous and one of these, a notable one, may be mentioned — the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, which was a joint gift to the city for the benefit of its sick and afflicted, from Ross Mitchell and John H. Thomas.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

CHARLES E. THOMAS.

As the growth of a city. depends upon its industrial and commercial activity, those who most deserve mention in connection with the history of any city are they who are active factors in trade circles. They are the real upbuilders of a town and the men who ‘stand at the head of leading enterprises deserve the respect and gratitude of their fellow men if the methods which they follow in business relations are honorable and straightforward. Charles E. Thomas, well known as the vice-president of the Thomas Manufacturing Company, of Springfield, possesses keen discrimination, laudable ambition and unfaltering perseverance, and these qualities have ‘contributed in a large measure to the successful conduct of the important and extensive enterprise with which he is so closely associated.

Mr. Thomas is a native of Maryland, his birth having occurred in Frederick City, Frederick county, in 1844. He comes of good old Revolutionary stock and of a family ever noted for loyalty to country and to the right. His paternal great-grandfather, Joseph Thomas, entered the American army át the time the colonies sought to free the land from the yoke of British oppression and valiantly aided in the struggle that resulted in the establishment of the republic.

The father of our subject bore the name of Jacob Thomas and he, too, was a native of Maryland. He wedded Sophia Bowlus, also a native of the same state, and in 1852 they came with their family to Clark county, Ohio. Settling upon a farm here, the father engaged in tilling the soil and in stock raising, following those pursuits for a number of years, but in later life he retired from active business cares and removed to the city of Springfield, where he died in 1876, and his wife survived him until 1889. Charles E. Thomas, whose name introduces this record, spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. He was a youth of eight summers when he came with his parents to Ohio, and here in the common schools he acquired a good knowledge of the branches of learning taught in such educational institutions. He afterward entered Wittenberg College, where he continued his studies for two years and then put aside his text books and entered the business world. He became interested with his brother Joseph in a cattle ranch in Kansas, where he remained for two years and then returned to Springfield, where, in connection with others, he organized the Thomas, Ludlow € Thomas Company, for the manufacture of Superior grain drills and seeders, which relation was maintained for thirteen years, on the expiration of which time Charles E. Thomas disposed of his interests and became a stockholder in the Thomas Manufacturing Company. At the same time he became vice-president, having served in this capacity since the organization of the company. The output of the factory includes hay rakes, tenders, leaders, disc and spring tooth harrows, grain drills and seeders, and lawn mowers. The present officers. are: W. S. Thomas, president; C. E. Thomas, vice-president; J. B. Miller, second vice-president; and H. H. Bean, secretary. The implements manufactured by this house are sold throughout the United States and the company also does a large export business, sending its product to the Argentine- Republic, to England, France and Germany. Its trade is steadily increasing and the house enjoys an unassailable reputation because its business methods are reliable and will bear the closest investigation. The relations between employers and employes are also pleasing and creditable to both. The operatives in the factory know that faithfulness to duty will win recognition, followed by promotion as opportunity offers.

Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Larnerd, in Buffalo, New York, a daughter of Joseph Larnerd, The lady is well known and prominent in social circles here’ and is a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. Mr. Thomas is.a man of large means, having attained splendid success through qualities which may be cultivated by all. He had no special pecuniary or family advantages aid him at the outset of his career, but he possessed determination, resolution and a laudable ambition and with a persistent purpose he has steadily advanced until a comfortable competence has rewarded his labors. Socially he is deservedly popular, as he is affable and gracious in manner and possesses the happy faculty of making friends readily and of strengthening the ties of friendship as time advances. In matters of citizenship he is progressive

714 x and public spirited. While he has never taken an active part in public affairs, as far as seeking public honors is concerned, he has always been‘ deeply interested in and contributed freely to the furtherance of the measures which he approved. By reason of his large success, his unblemished character, his just and liberal life, and the universal esteem which he here enjoys, Mr. Thomas might, without invidious distinction, be. called the foremost citizen of Springfield.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN W. THOMAS, retired farmer; P. O. South Charleston. Among the pioneers of Madison Township, the gentleman whose name appears above, deserves mention on the pazcs of this work. His father, Samuel Thomas, was born in the State of Delaware in 1785. He came to Ohio when a young man, and settled in Warren County, where he married Mary St. John. She was born in the State of New York May 30, 1783, and came to this State with her parents when about 12 years of age. They first settled in Hamilton County, about ten miles from Cincinnati, but afterward moved to Warren County. Samuel and Mary Thomas were the parents of nine children—John W., Anna and Prudence, born in Warren County; James, Nancy, Isaac, Sarah M., Joseph and Samuel, born in Clark County. The last named died in youth, and Nancy and Anna after reaching maturity. The rest are all living. Samuel Thomas departed this life July 4, 1867, and his wife Aug. 2,1871. John W., the oldest child, was born March 21, 1809; was raised a farmer, which occupation he followed very actively until within a few years, and also dealt in stock. He still engaged in stock-raising. For the last sixty-seven years he has resided in Clark County, within two miles of South Charleston. On the 28th of February, 1858, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Harriet Snyder, widow of Joseph Snyder, deceased, by whom she had four children—$arah A., deceased; Mary E.; Anna Belle, deceased, and Charlotte A. Harriet was born in England Feb. 2, 1823, and came to America at the age of 6 years. Trusdale was her maiden name. John W. and Harriet Thomas are the parents of one child—Emma D., now Mrs. Samuel H. Brandenburg and resides with her parents. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the M. E. Church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS J. THOMAS.

With a capital of five dollars Thomas Johns Thomas arrived in America. To-day he is numbered among the men of Springfield to whom industry and enterprise have brought a comfortable competence. His birth occurred in Cornwall, England, February: 17, 1849. His - father, William Thomas, who was born there in 1818, was a farmer by occupation and died in his native country in 1895, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Johns, passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were two sons, Thomas Johns and William. The latter is now a waiter in the hotel in Ilfracombe, England.

Mr. Thomas, whose name introduces this review, attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade and Served for a term of five years, after which he worked for the same firm for two years. He was then married in 1868 to Charlotte Rabey, who was born in England in 1851, and the same year Mr. Thomas sailed for New York, where for two years he was em- „ployed. He then went to Lafayette and to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he remained for two years, later spending eighteen months in New London, Connecticut. He learned the trade of a practical horse-shoes, which he followed at the various places mentioned, and subsequently removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he lived for a year. While there he was joined by his wife, who had been left in England while he was securing a home for her in the new world. On Christmas Day of 1874 they arrived in Springfield and took up their permanent above here.

Mr. Thomas was yet a young man but was an expert workman and soon found employment, remaining for six months in the service of William Dickson, but desiring to engage in business on his own account he then entered into partnership with Messrs. Cathcart & Cassiley. They opened a shop back of the present office of the P. P. Mast Company and there remained for nineteen months, Mr. Thomas being the practical workman of the firm. On the expiration of that period the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Thomas then became a partner of John Kearns, on Market Square, this relation being maintained from the fall of 1876 until 1884. Mr. Thomas then sold out his interest and started in business for himself in the rear of the Square in 1878. He erected one of the model shops of the city and built up an extensive trade, which grew so rapidly that he increased the length of his building by an addition of twenty feet. He does nothing but practical horse shoeing, but his work is of such excellent grade that his patronage demands that he employ three workmen. He uses nothing but hand-made goods and utilized about six thousand horseshoes in his trade each year, giving especial attention to shoeing track horses. He is located at No. 22 Fisher street, where he has a modern and neat shop, supplied with all necessary equipments for carrying on his business.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been born eight children: Carrie, the wife of James Phillips, of Cornwall, England, was born in England, was educated in this county and afterward returned to her native land, where she was married; Hetty is the wife of John H. Shortan, of Newport, Kentucky; William, who engaged in the feed business on Clifton street in Springfield, married Bertha Ward, by whom he has one son, and they reside on Stanton avenue; Charles, who learned the horse-shoeing business with his father and is now following that trade in Columbus, married Sarah Ingram, of that city, and they have one son, Seth; Catherine is at home; Thomas bia pattern maker; Henry is a piano tuner; and Gertrude is yet in school. The parents hold membership in the Heavenly Rest Episcopal church, of which Mr. Thomas is one of the vestrymen. He belongs to Clark Lodge, E. & A. M.; Springfield Chapter, R. A. M.; Springfield Council, R. € 5. M.; Palestine Commandery, K. T.; and Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Dayton, having joined the Masons in 1879. He is also a member of the Benevolent. € Protective Order of Elks. His political support is given the Republican party and its principles and for three years he represented the old fourth ward of the city in the city council. He served on the committee on streets and highways and chairman of the committee on the police and fire department. At that time the various committees of the council superintended the improvements made in the city and he was the prime over in having Sheridan avenue opened up, thus furnishing an outlet to the manufacturing concerns of the east end. The market house was also built during his incumbency in the council and the first stone pavement was laid in the city. In all enterprises that have been established to promote the welfare of Springfield and its people Mr. Thomas has been found as an earnest and active worker. He purchased property at the corner of Kelly avenue and Summer street, where he built seven houses, his home being at No. 129 Summer street. He has a natural talent for music and since 1889 has been a member of the choir of the Heavenly Rest church, acting as a paid singer for eight years. He has taken vocal lessons, possessing a fine voice, and is a valued addition to musical circles of this city.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

A. H. THOMAS, who has been a resident of Springfield, Ohio, for some twenty years, is president of the Gearless Gas Engine Company and an inventor of prominence, holding patents to a number of important inventions which have proved a success on the market.

Mr. Thomas was born at Versailles, Ohio, in 1870, and was a small boy when his parents moved to Miami County, Ohio, where he was reared, attending the common schools. Early in life he began learning the trade of a pattern-maker.t Piqua, and when eighteen years of age came to Springfield and completed his apprenticeship to that trade, as well as to that of a machinist. He was with the Mast-Foos Company three years, then entered the employ of the Rogers Fenco Company, having charge of the lawn mower department for three years. At the end of that time he went to Troy, Ohio, where he was connected with the Adams Machine Shop for seven years, subsequently returning to Springfield. He Avas with the Spring-field Gas Engine Company five years, and two years with the

Foos Gas Engine Company, but in the meantime was spending his time working out some inventions that his practical eye saw were much needed. Having completed a fearless gas engine, the only one invented, and applied for a patent, in 1904 the Gearless Gas Engine Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000 and the following officers: A. H. Thomas, president; C. W. Foster, vice pi'resident; and W. L. Yates, secretary. The fearless gas engine is without a rival in the market, and being a wonderful invention for which there was an immediate demand, the success of the company was assured from the first. In addition, Mr. Thomas holds patents on an adjustable cuff holder and a lawn-mower, both practical inventions which have been a success.

In 1888 Mr. Thomas was joined in marriage with Miss Katie Foster, by whom he has five children, Earl F., Katherine, John, Isabelle, and Naomi. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ. Fraternally, he is a member of Spring-field Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.