L. A. Thomas

LLEWELLYN AP THOMAS.

As his name indicates, INIr. Thomas is of Welsh descent and is a worthy representative of that race whose courage, intellectual strength and reliability in business have awakened admiration throughout the world, He is small and slight, is energetic and active in all his movements and is decided in word, look and action. He was born in the city of Troy, March 2, 1842, and now, at the age of fifty years, gives constant care and attention to his extensive floral business. His father, William I. Thomas, was born in Philadelphia, July 4, 1796, and in 1808 accompanied his parents on their removal to Lancaster county, Ohio. He was graduated in the Ohio University at Athens, in 181 7, and read law with the Hon. Thomas Ewing, becoming a practitioner at the bar of Troy in 1819. Li 1822 he was appointed postmaster of this city, and in 1825 was elected justice of the peace. He served for six years as a prosecuting attorney, and was colonel of one of the militia regiments of Ohio. For four consecutive years he represented his district in the state senate, taking his seat as a member of the upper house in 1836. On that occasion he spoke for sixteen hours against time, until the citizens arrived at the capital in such numl)ers that the legislators dared not pass an opposing measure which was peculiarly obnoxious to the masses. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation of the state in the first half of the nineteenth century, and was widely recognized as a leader of pulilic thought and opinion. On the 1 2th of September, 1846, he was instrumental in organizing the Miami Agricultural Society, and was elected its first president, being again chosen to that position in 1847. His political support was given the old-line Whig party until its dissolution, when he became a Democrat and canvassed the state for Buchanan in 1856. He was a man of marked ability in many lines. As a friend he was true and tried; as an enemy aggressive and brave; as an organizer, learned and trustworthy; as an advocate powerful and convincing; and as a platform orator possessed logic and elocution. He was at home among theologians in their deepest discussions, and his opinions, which were the result of mature and careful deliberation, he was always able to support with forceful argument. In social circles he was equally at ease, and his power of conversation rendered him entertaining in the highest degree. As a citizen he was high-minded and honorable, and as a servant of the people he was extremely trustworthy and faithful. He

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On the 29th of September, 1828, Hon. '. J. Thomas was united in marriage to Lucinda ]\1. Xeal, a native of N'virginia, now 'est Wirginia, where through many general- - )i. the Xeals have been leading and influential citizens, statesmen and soldiers.. Mrs. Thomas belonged to the same family as Hon. Thomas Ewing and Colonel George Clendenun, commandant of the Ohio frontier and founder of Charleston, West Virginia, and whose daughter married Return Jonathan Meigs, governor of Ohio in 18 10, and postmaster general of the United States in 181 3. Through the Neals Mr. Thomas, of this re- \-iew, is also related to Stonewell Jackson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas were born eleven children: Stanley O., an attorney at law, was a rebel (jfiicer on the state of General Kirby Smith, and is now living in New Orleans. Walter, who is editor of the Miami Union and a lawyer at the bar of Trtjy. has been prosecuting attorney of the county. He served as a lieutenant in a volunteer infantry during flic civil war. Gilmer T., a legal practitioner of Troy has served as mayor of the city. William I., who was also a lawyer, served in the Union army during the civil war, and died in early manhood. Eugene, who was ajijiointed to Annapolis and served in the navy, winning the rank of lieutenant commander, and died in 1898, at the age of fifty years. Llewellyn Ap is the next younger. Three brothers and a sister died in childhood before our subject's birth, and another brother died subsequently, at the age of fourteen years, while a student at Marietta College. He was a very bright youth and gave promise of a successful future.

Llewellyn A. Thomas, whose name introduces this record, attended the first free school of Troy. His tastes did not follow the family professional bent and led him into the ranks of floriculture. His father owned what is now known as the Stilwell farm, a tract of three hundred and five acres, adjoining Troy, and as his taste led him to take up the work of garden and field he laboreil upon the farm. With the old-world pride of family, the father endowed one son with all his land and effects, but he did not retain possession of it and the property passed into the hands of others. When the first tap of war sounded Mr. Thomas of this review, prompted by a spirit of patriotism and Avith an impulsive and brave nature, responded to the call for troops. He enlisted for three months in the Eleventh Ohio Lifantry, and on the expiration of that Ijeriod joined the army for three years.' Heserxed in West Wirginia under General J. O. Co.x, participated in the battle of South Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run and the engagements of Antictam, Missicjuary Ridge and Chattanooga, together with others of lesser importance. Tiiough on many a battle-field where the rebel lead fell thick and fast, he escai)ed without injury, and with an honorable military record he returned to his home, one of the brave defenders who preserveil the Union when the hand of rebellion would have oN'erthrow'u it.

Returning to Troy, Mr. Thomas engaged in farming for three years, and in 1867 he emliarked in business as a florist. He had two colts but had no cai)ital. yet was strong in his resolute purpose and indomitable industry. These qualities stood him in good stead, and to-day he is one of the most extensive and successful florists in this section of the state. He gives consistent and careful attention to his business and lias nine large greenhouses, covering an area of an acre and a half, and stocked with e\ery variety of plants and flowers. He not only understands the practical work, but also the scientific, and his thorough understanding of the business has made him familiar with the needs of the various plants which he cultivates. Some of his productions have been a marvel to florists, and have certainly awakened the admiration of all lovers of the beautiful. He was born with a true artistic instinct and willi a passion for flowers which he indulged in early days by cultivating blossoming plants upon his father's farm. His flower beds often at that day contained not only every poinilar variety but many rare kinds. In flower decorations and designs his innate capacity and artistic sense find their best expression. The products of his greenhouse are in demand in ail the cities of Ohio and throughout a portion of Indiana. In completing and enlarging his establishment he displayed not only wonderful skill as a florist but also great mechanical ability, which by many is supposed to be wanting in those who are particularly fond of the lieautiful. He is his own carpenter, glazier, mason, plumber and gas and steam fitter, and his work is done so perfectly that the temperature in the green houses is always at the proper point, whether the thermometer outside stands at one hundred degrees in the shade or at thirty-two below zero, as it was in the winter of 1898-9.

In 1864 Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Kate Lee, of Troy, and to them have been born five sons: William Walter, a successful nurseryman of Davisville, California; Guy L., who was a captain in the Troy militia company that enlisted for service in the Cuban war and died in 1898, at the age of twenty-eight years; Louis Llewellyn, who is his father's able assistant in business in Troy; AUyn, who is attending the Troy schools; and Leo, who is also in school. The youngest son is making i-apid progress in his studies, and is a bright and promising lad who is ambitious to follow in the footsteps of his uncle Eugene and become an officer in the navy. He knows every detail of the naval actions in the Spanish-American war and never tires of hearing stories concerning the civil and other wars in our country.

Mr. Thomas is a Presbyterian in religious faith and a Republican in his political views, as have been all of the other members of the family with the exception of his father and elder brother. He is now surrounded with an interesting family whose needs he is not only able to supply but can also provide them with many of the comforts of life, as the result of his well-conducted business affairs. He now enjoys a very large and lucrative patronage, his business extending over a wide radius. His success is well merited, for it results from enterprising effort and honorable dealing. His social qualities and the salient features of his character commend him to the public confidence and regard, and he is recognized as a worthy representative of a family that has long been prominently connected with the history of this community.

As printed in A genealogical and biographical record of Miami county, Ohio (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.