Clark County OhArchives Biographies.....Thomas, William S. April 22, 1857 - May 1, 1922 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Teresa Dillard teresajd57@earthlink.net September 12, 2005, 6:40 pm Author: From “”A Biographical Record of Clark County, Ohio, Illustrated,” The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., New York, December 1902 William S. Thomas Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Springfield who occupies a more enviable position than William S. Thomas in industrial and financial circles, not alone on account of the brilliant success he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. He possesses energy, its quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today 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 homestead at the 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 in 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 hears 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. SA large export business is carried on tand the hay- rakes, tedders and loaders, 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 th e8th of December, 1886, 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 obard 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 received his hearty endorsement and do-operation. He 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 board. 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 to 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. HeE 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 the spring following his twenty-first birthday. He is an untiring worker, yet 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 of from opposition to any particular section of the platform. It is a well known fact that in several state conventions he has worked in opposition to probably the stringest Democratic faction in the state, and yet to-day in this very faction he numbers many of his warmest personal friends. He is a conservative Democrat, yet he has always been found inline with his party in state and national issues, including the memorable campaign of 1896. At local elections, were 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 until 1890 was a poptent element in Democratic 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 theleaters 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 higest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/clark/photos/bios/thomas268bs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/clark/bios/thomas268bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ohfiles/ File size: 9.3 Kb