Clark County OhArchives Biographies.....Thomas, Charles E. 1844 - January 1, 1921
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Teresa Dillard teresajd57@earthlink.net September 12, 2005, 7:13 pm

Author: From “”A Biographical Record of Clark County, Ohio, Illustrated,” The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., New York, December 1902:

Charles E. Thomas

    As the growth of a city depends upon its industrial and commercial 
activity, those who most deserve mention in connection with the history of any 
city are they who are active factors in trade circles.  They are the real 
upbuilders of a town and the men who stand at the head of the leading 
enterprises deserve the respect and gratitude of their fellow men if the 
methods which they follow in business relations are honorable and 
straightforward.  Charles E. Thomas, well known as the vice-president of the 
Thomas Manufacturing Company, of Springfield, possesses keen discrimination, 
laudable ambition and unfaltering perseverance, and these qualities have 
contributed in a large measure to the successful conduct of the important and 
extensive enterprise with which he is so closely associated.
    Mr. Thomas is a native of Maryland, his birth having occurred in Frederick 
City, Frederick county, in 1844.  He comes of good old Revolutionary stock and 
of a family ever noted for loyalty to country and to the right.  His paternal 
great-grandfather, Joseph Thomas, entered the American army at the time the 
colonies sought to free the land from the yoke of British oppression and 
valiantly aided in the struggle that resulted in the establishment of the 
republic.  The father of our subject bore the name of Jacob Thomas and he, too, 
was a native of Maryland.  He wedded Sophia Bowlus, also a native of the same 
state, and in 1852 they came with their family to Clark county, Ohio.  Settling 
upon a farm here, the father engaged in tilling the soil and in stock raising, 
following those pursuits for a number of years, but in later life he retired 
from active business cares and removed to the city of Springfield, where he 
died in 1876, and his wife survived him until 1889.
   Charles E. Thomas, whose name introduces this record, spent his boyhood days 
in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. He wa a youth of eight 
summers when he came with his parents to Ohio, and here in the common schools 
he acquired a good knowledge of the branches of learning taught in such 
educational institutions.  He afterward entered Wittenberg College, where he 
continued his studies for two years and then put aside his text books and 
entered the business world.  He became interested with his brother Joseph in a 
cattle ranch in Kansas, where he remained for two years then returned to 
Springfield, where, in connection with others, he organized the Thomas, Ludlow 
& Thomas Company, for the manufacture of Superior grain drills and seeders, 
which relation was maintained for thirteen years on the expiration of which 
times Charles E. Thomas disposed of his interests and became a stockholder in 
the Thomas Manufacturing Company.  At the same time he became vice-president, 
having served in this capacity since the organization of the company.  The 
output of the factory includes hay rakes, tedders, leaders, disc and spring 
tooth harrows, grain drills and seeders, and lawn mowers.  The present officers 
are:  W. S. Thomas, president; C. E. Thomas, vice-president; J. B. Miller, 
second vice-president; and H. H. Bean, secretary.  The implements manufactured 
by this house are sold throughout the United States and the company also does a 
large export business, sending its product to the Argentine Republic, to 
England, France and Germany.  Its trade is steadily increasing and the house 
enjoys an unassailable reputation because its business methods are reliable and 
will bear the closest investigation.  The relations between employers and 
employes [sic] are also pleasing and creditable to both.  The operatives in the 
factory know that faithfulness to duty will win recognition, followed by 
promotion as opportunity offers.
    Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Lanerd, in Buffalo, New 
York, a daughter of Joseph Lanerd, Esquire.  The lady is well known and 
prominent in social circles here and is a member of the Daughters of the 
Revolution.  Mr. Thomas is a man of large means, having attained splendid 
success through qualities which may be cultivated by all.  He had no special 
pecuniary or family advantages to aid him at the outset of his career, but he 
possessed determination, resolution and a laudable ambition and with a 
persistent purpose he has steadily advanced until a comfortable competence has 
rewarded his labors.  Socially he is deservedly popular, as he is affable and 
gracious in manner and possesses the happy faculty of making friends readily 
and of strengthening the ties of friendship as time advances.  In matters of 
citizenship he is progressive and public spirited.  While he has never taken an 
active part in public affairs, as far as seeking public honors is concerned, he 
has always been deeply interested in and contributed freely to the furtherance 
of the measures which he approved.  By reason of his large success, his 
unblemished character, his just and liberal life, and the universal esteem 
which he here enjoys, Mr. Thomas might, without invidious distinction, be called


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