Chatham County GaArchives Biographies.....Thomas, Edward J. 1840 - living in 1913
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 15, 2004, 12:47 pm

Author: William Harden
p. 711-712

   EDWARD J. THOMAS of Savannah is one of the representative civil engineers of
Georgia, and is county surveyor of Chatham county. He was born in Savannah on
March 25, 1840, and is a son of Maj. John A. and Malvina H. (Huguenin) Thomas;
the former was born in McIntosh county, Georgia, and the latter in Charleston,
South Carolina. Maj. John A. Thomas was a planter by vocation, established in
Mclntosh county, and his death occurred there in 1858. He was a son of Jonathan
and Mary Jane (Baker) Thomas. His wife, Malvina, was a daughter of John and
Eliza (Vallard) Huguenin, both of whom were of French Huguenot stock. Mrs.
Thomas survived her husband for many years, her death occurring in 1895.

   Edward J. Thomas secured a good education in the academic sense, as well as
in the line of his profession. He was graduated in the University of Georgia as
a member of the class of 1860, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In
early manhood he taught school for two months, but his vocation during
practically his entire career has been that of civil engineering. For many years
he was the civil engineer for the Savannah Street Railway Company, and for eight
years he rendered most efficient services as county engineer for Chatham county.

   The loyalty of Mr. Thomas to the cause of the Confederacy was manifested in a
most unequivocal way during the war between the states. He served two years in
the ranks, but on account of physical disability was appointed quartermaster
sergeant in the Fifth Georgia Cavalry, with Wheeler's command in General
Johnston's army, and surrendered at Greensboro. Many and thrilling were the
experiences of Mr. Thomas during his military service, and at a meeting in
February, 1912, of the Confederate Veterans' Association in Savannah, Mr. Thomas
related some war-time reminiscences for the delectation of the assembly which
were particularly well received. He had been asked to read a paper on the
evacuation of Savannah, but upon reflection, he said he had come to the
conclusion that as he had no business being in Savannah at the time of its
evacuation, it might be more appropriate to change his topic to deal with
interesting experiences of camp life, dealing particularly with those of the
western cavalry just prior to the surrender of Atlanta. He said that after the
big fight at Murfreesboro when his command was returning to Savannah the order
was passed that every man without a mount could get a thirty days' furlough. The
Confederate troopers owned their own horses, so Mr. Thomas gave his horse,
saddle and bridle to his comrade, and thus being without a mount, took advantage
of the furlough and spent thirty days at home, which explained ho^ he came to be
in Savannah at the time of its evacuation. Among other interesting things, he
related how he recruited a horse in the bushwhacking country by the peculiar
method of going out in the early morning before daybreak and rifling the nearest
stable of its best mount for his use, and told how he saved his neck, likewise
retained possession of a stolen horse, by the exercise of a bit of quick wit.
and strategy. These and many another experience, rich in movement and
excitement, told by Mr. Thomas in his peculiarly interesting manner, proved a
delightful offering in the program of the evening.

   Mr. Thomas is a member of the United Confederate Veterans and of the
University Club of Georgia. He is a Democrat in his political faith. He and his
wife are members of St. John's Episcopal church. Mr. Thomas is now actively
engaged in his profession and is at the head of the plans and specification
committee of the drainage commission to devise and construct storm and domestic
sewers for the entire city, as outlined in the $600,000 issue of bonds (1912).

   On April 2,1862, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Alice G. Walthour, daughter
of George and Mary (Russell) "Walthour of Walthourville, Liberty county,
Georgia. Seven children were born to them, namely: Abbott; Walthour; Julia, wife
of C. H. Gibbes; Alice, married R. C. Gordon; Edward J., Jr.; Huguenin, and Dr.
Marion R. Of these, Walthour died in youth, Mrs. Gibbes died in 1900, and Abbott
died in 1912.



Additional Comments:
A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
BY
WILLIAM HARDEN

VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1913

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