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Born 1857
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908), A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902)
WILLIAM S. THOMAS.
Ae e cellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his. It is true that he became interested in a business already established, but in controlling and enlarging such an enterprise many a man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would have failed; and he has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, but the outcome of a clear judgment and experience. He has also won distinguished honors in political circles and is ‘recognized as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Ohio.
William S. Thomas was born in Springfield April 22, 1857, at the old family home-" stead at that time located on the present site of the St. Raphael school. He is a son of the Hon. John H. Thomas, who is represented on another page of this work. In the public schools he began his education and afterward continued his studies in a private school conducted by Chandler Roberts, Sr. Thus he prepared for college and later he received some military instruction and training. At the age of fourteen years, in the fall of 1871, he matriculated in Wooster University and four years later was graduated with honors in that institution, being at that time and for many years thereafter the youngest graduate of that school.
When his literary education was completed, William S. Thomas became an active factor in the business world, joining his father in the industry of manufacturing agricultural implements. The father, associated with his two sons, organized the Thomas Manufacturing Company, and for many years the subject of this review has been its secretary and treasurer. From the beginning the business grew in volume and importance until it had assumed mammoth proportions, its trade covering large sections of this country and of foreign lands as well. A large export business is carried on and the hay-rakes, tenders and leaders, also the disc and spring tooth harrows and grain drills manufactured by this company are sent to all parts of the civilized world. To-day the Thomas Manufacturing Company ranks among the most important business firms of Ohio and has been an integral factor in promoting the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of the city of Springfield. The plant is an extensive one, equipped with everything needed for the prosecution of the work, being supplied with the latest improved machinery, while a large number of workmen are constantly busy in the manufacture of the various implements which are sent out annually from this house.- Mr. Thomas, of this review, has recently been elected president of the National Association of Agricultural Implements and Vehicle Manufacturers. In addition to his extensive industrial holdings he has farming interests, owning several hundred acres of rich farm lands in Clark county, having thus made judicious investments in realty.
On the 8th of December, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of William S. Thomas and Miss Fanny Senteny, of Louisville, Kentucky, the ceremony being performed by Dr. Ort, the president of Wittenberg College. Three children, two sons and a daughter, blessed this union, namely: John Henry, Wallace and Lucretia.
While Mr. Thomas has led a very busy, useful and active life, his extensive industrial interests making heavy demands upon his time and attention, he has yet found ample opportunity to co-operate in many measures for the general good, and is a well-known factor in church, social and political circles. He is a member of the board of directors of the Mad River National Bank, a member of the board of trade, of the Commercial Club and the Economic League. He is thus associated with organizations which have for their object the promotion of business affairs along lines of broad usefulness. He holds membership in the First Presbyterian church and is the president of its board of trustees. For a number of years he served as a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and was largely instrumental in securing the funds for the Association building and contributed quite liberally to this cause. It is said that not a church has been erected in this community during the past twenty years that has not received substantial assistance from Mr. Thomas. He is a gentleman of broad humanitarian principles without narrow bias, and every movement which has for its object the betterment of mankind receives his hearty endorsement and co-operation. Hle has been a member of the board of trustees of the Wooster University for a number of years and the cause of education indeed finds in him a friend. Mr. Thomas looks from a practical and patriotic standpoint at the political situation of the country and his close and earnest study of the questions of the day has led him to believe that Democracy embodies the best elements of good government. He has therefore allied his interests with the party and has been unswerving in his advocacy of its principles, although he is not bitterly partisan, nor has he been connected with any of the factions which cause such disturbances in the great political questions. In the city he has been called to public office and served for one term as a member of the school board, one term in the city council beard. While one of Springfield’s aldermen and for two terms on the police and fire he acted as president of the council and so directed his influence and aid as tor materially benefit the municipality. He has been a delegate to nearly all of the Democratic state conventions in recent years and has continuously been a member of the state central committee since 1895. He was twice elected chairman of that committee and was a delegate at large from Ohio to the national Democratic convention at Kansas City. From the time he attained his majority he took a deep and earnest interest in political questions and even before he had attained the right of franchise his Democratic friends.
in the Sixth ward had determined to make him the nominee for the city council in thespring following his twenty-first birthday. He is an untiring worker, vet he has never been allied with any of the factions which so often undermine the strength of a party and which arise merely from personal preferment for a known candidate or from opposition to any particular section of the plat-- form. Itis a well known fact that in several state conventions he has worked in opposition to probably the strongest Democratic faction in the state, and yet to-day in this very faction he numbers many of his warmest personal friends. five Democrat, yet he has always been found in line with his party in state and: national issues, including the memorable campaign of 1896. At local elections, where no particular issue is involved, he does not consider himself bound by party ties, regarding more than party affiliations. the capability of the candidate to discharge the business. affairs of town or county. He was the president and a most active worker in the celebrated Jefferson Club that from the year 1880 un-
He is a conservatil 1890 was a potent element in Demogratic forces in the city, county and district. it gave annual banquets which were attended by many of the leading Democrats of the ‘state and nation. He is a man of such known patriotism and such unswerving loyalty to the principles in which he believes, that he has commanded the respect and confidence of not only the men of his own party, but of the opposition as well. His course has ever been above suspicion, for the good of the nation he places above partisanship and the welfare of his constituents before personal aggrandizement. He commands the respect of the leaders of his party throughout Ohio, but at home-——in the city of his adoption—where he is best known, he inspires personal friendships of unusual strength and all who know him have the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind.
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.
HON. WILLIAM S. THOMAS, president of the Mad River National Bank, at Springfield, and jDresident and treasurer of The Thomas Manufacturing Company, has been identified with important business interests in Clark County during the whole period of his active life. Mr. Thomas was born in Springfield, Ohio, April 22, 1857, and is a son of Hon. John H. and Mary (Bonser) Thomas.
William S. Thomas received his early education in both public and private schools, and was fourteen years old when he entered Wooster University, where he was graduated with honors in 1875, being at that time and for years afterward the youngest graduate of that institution. His father, the late John H. Thomas, had been engaged in the manufacturing of agricultural instruments prior to this time, and he subsequently organized, with his two sons, William S. and Findlay B., The Thomas Manufacturing Company, which has long ranked with the leading industrial firms of the state, and of which William S. Thomas became treasurer in 1886, and also president in 1901. The name of Thomas appearing on agricultural implements is a guarantee of excellence the world over, and the products of this company include every kind of useful agricultural implement, with a few manufactured only by this concern. Mr. Thomas has other business interests, being a leading financier of this section, and he is also a very large property owner, both in the city of Springfield and throughout Clark County.
On December 8, 1887, Mr. Thomas was married to Fannie Senteny, who was born at Louisville, Kentucky. They have had three children, namely: John Henry, Wallace Senteny, and Lucretia. The eldest son died June 26, 1906. The family home, at No. 345 East High Street, Springfield, is one of taste and elegance.
Mr. Thomas is an earnest Democrat, and since 1895 he has been continuously a member of the Democra,tic State Central Committee, and for years has never failed to attend all important Democratic conventions as a delegate. He has ably and unselfishly filled many of the important civic offices and in every way he is well qualified for any honor in the gift of his party. He was the president of and most zealous worker in that well-known organization, the Jefferson Club, from 1880 until 1890. In the various organizations of a benevolent, educational, religious and business character pertaining to Springfield, Mr. Thomas has been more than ready to acknowledge every many obligation, and has been generous in the contribution of time, advice and money. For many years he served as president of the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, while the Young Men's Christian Association has continually been an object of his beneficence. He is a member of the Springfield Commercial Club, and recently has been chosen president of the Ohio Shippers' Association.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.