Bio of THOMAS, John W. (b.1844), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 574-575
JOHN W. THOMAS
One of the leading business corners of Minneapolis was long the scene of the
commercial activities of John W. Thomas, who for an extended period was
associated with one of the large mercantile houses of the city, which in his
later years was conducted under the name of John W. Thomas & Company, dry goods.
From a humble clerkship he had worked his way upward to prominence and success
in the business world, and his life record should serve to inspire and encourage
others, showing what may be accomplished through perseverance, energy and
determination on the part of an individual. Mr. Thomas was born January 14,
1844, in Steuben, Oneida county, New York, his parents being William W. and Ann
Thomas, both of whom were natives of the north of Wales. Leaving that little
rock-ribbed country, they came to America about 1840, establishing their home in
Steuben, where their son, John W., was reared and partially educated.
John W. Thomas attended the public schools of his native city and with the
removal of the family to the middle west, he continued his studies in Bangor,
Wisconsin, later becoming a student in the Sparta (Wis.) Academy. When his
text­books were put aside and he faced the broad field of business with its
countless opportunities along agricultural, industrial, commercial and
professional lines, a natural tendency drew him toward mercantile interests, and
he became a clerk in one of the stores of Sparta, where he continued until 1865,
then coming to Minnesota, settling first at Winona, where his previous
experience enabled him to secure the important position of manager of the store
of N. H. Wood. He was thus employed for six years, during which time he
carefully saved his earnings until he felt that his acquired capital and
experience justified him in engaging in business on his own account. He,
therefore, purchased a stock of goods and opened a store in Winona, where he
continued until 1883, and then removed to Minneapolis. Here he entered into
partnership with the firm of George W. Hale & Company and acted as manager of
the dry goods business, which was now carried on under the firm style of Hale &
Thomas, this constituting the forerunner of John W. Thomas & Company, dry goods.
Mr. Thomas was not long in winning for himself an enviable position in the
commercial circles of the larger city and demonstrating his power to cope with
the various intricate problems that are involved in successful management of
commercial interests. In the year 1889 he purchased Mr. Hale's share of the
business and later bought out the other partners in the firm, at which time the
style of John W. Thomas & Company was assumed, and under that name the business
was carried on to the time of his death, which occurred in 1916. Eight years
before this, or in 1908, he had erected a substantial business block at the
corner of Nicollet and Eighth and had obtained the most modern mercantile
equipment. The business continually grew in scope and its expansion brought it
in time to a place in the front rank among the leading dry goods houses of the
city.
In 1867 Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Jennett Jones, a daughter of
David W. and Eleanor Jones of Utica, New York. They became the parents of a son
and two daughters: John W., who is now the president and manager of the store
which was developed and built up by his father; Eleanor A., and Alice J.
Politically Mr. Thomas was an earnest republican, keeping at all times well
informed on the questions and issues of the day and giving stalwart support to
the party, yet never ambitious to hold public office. His religious belief was
that of the Presbyterian church, and he took a most helpful interest and served
as elder in the Westminster church. In its teachings were found the guiding
spirit of his life. He never failed to answer the challenge of the right, nor to
march under that banner which leads to progress and improvement in the community
and in the com­monwealth, and to high standards for the individual. That he
passed many another on life's journey, who perhaps started out under more
advantageous circumstances, was due to the fact that he early recognized the
eternal principle that industry wins, and he made industry the beacon light of
his career.