Howard County IN Archives Biographies.....Thomas, Neil 1848 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 14, 2006, 10:42 pm Author: Jackson Morrow NEIL THOMAS. Among the strong and influential citizens of Howard county the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years has exerted a beneficial influence in the city where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common-sense, which has enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community. Neil Thomas, the well known shoe merchant of Kokomo, Indiana, was born in Darke county, Ohio, October 15, 1848, the son of Jacob and Mary (Warwick) Thomas, the father having been a blacksmith who lived and died in the above named county, however, he later in life became a storekeeper and was a man of considerable influence in his community. He was postmaster during the Civil war. having been assisted in his official work by our subject, the training he received in that capacity having later been of much value to him. Our subject was educated in the village and rural schools of his native county and at the age of nineteen he entered a general store at Greenville, Ohio, where he worked for seventy-five dollars a year and board, having remained with the same firm for nine years. While he did not receive much compensation for his services, he mastered the mercantile business which has enabled him later in life to make a pronounced success in this line. After he severed his connection with his first employers he engaged in the mercantile business of his own accord and in September, 1884, he opened a shoe store in the room where he now conducts his large business and which he now owns at 26 West Walnut street, having successfully conducted a shoe store here for nearly a quarter of a century in 1908. He commenced with a very small stock, and by his fair dealing his customers have steadily increased until he has been able to add to his stock from time to time, seldom losing a customer and making hosts of friends through his- honest dealing and courteous treatment, having now one of the best and most modern shoe stores in this part of the state. His patrons say that they have always received the worth of their money when dealing with Mr. Thomas. Our subject was united in marriage in Kokomo to Mrs. Temperance Carter in 1888 and they are the parents of three very promising children, namely: Edith, Clarence and Mary, the first named being a graduate of the Kokomo high school. Politically our subject is a loyal Democrat. He is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church of which his wife is a member. They have both become well known in Kokomo and their pleasant, well furnished and modem home at 158 West Mulberry street, is regarded as the mecca of hospitality and is a favorite gathering place for their numerous guests. Mr. Thomas is a man of sterling qualities and has made his success in business by being honest, strictly square in all his dealings, his upright principles and genial disposition not only winning and retaining numerous customers but hosts of friends as well. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA BY JACKSON MORROW, B. A. ILLUSTRATED VOL. II B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (circa 1909) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/howard/bios/thomas167bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/infiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb