In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1855
From History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1906)
VAN L. THOMAS, cashier and general manager of Branch “A” of The Lima Trust Company, was born in Jay County, Indiana, in 1855, and is a son of Andrew J. Thomas, who was born in West Virginia in 1816. Andrew J. Thomas went to Indiana when 16 years old and engaged in farming until his death in 1892, at the age of
76 years. He was the youngest of a family of 13 children, whose average age at death was
77 years.
Evan L. Thomas received all the advantages of a superior education, attending Farmer’s Academy in Jay County, then the Whitewater Academy, and finishing at the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. In 1872 he engaged in teaching school, and, with an exception of two years, was thus employed for 25 consecutive years. He rapidly advanced in his profession, being superintendent of the schools at Sevastopol and West Richmond, and later accepting a like position in the New Paris schools, Preble County, Ohio, where he remained seven years. He was recognized as one of the foremost educators of the State and was for years a member of the Preble County Board of School Examiners, being president of that body when he removed from the county. Having accepted a lucrative position with the O’Connor insurance agency, Mr. Thomas came to Lima in 1897 and acted as its representative until December 31, 1904, when this relation was dissolved and the next day he assumed his duties as cashier and general manager of Branch “A” of The Lima Trust Company. This is one of the strongest and most substantial banking institutions in Allen County, and the choice of the directors for the important office of manager of the branch was a most suitable one, as Mr. Thomas is abundantly qualified for the position.
Mr. Thomas was married October 13, 1887, to Lillie D. McPherson, daughter, of George_ McPherson, a retired citizen of Preble County. They have two children — Earl W. and Minor M. Mr. Thomas is master of Lima Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M.; high priest of Lima Chapter, No. 49, R. A. M.; and acting recorder of Shawnee Commandery, No. 14, K. T. of Lima; also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.
As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name Evan L. Thomas: Christian U. Amstutz (b. 1829)
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.