Charles E. Thomas

As printed in 1902

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

Esquire.

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 A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.