D. C. Thomas Biography This biography appears on page 1862 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. D. C. THOMAS is a native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he received such educational advantages as were afforded in the common schools, and he was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm. His quickened ambition and natural predilection prompted him to spare no effort in 'securing a broader education, and by teaching and doing such other work as came to hand he succeeded in defraying the expenses of his collegiate course. He was matriculated in the law department of the celebrated University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated. He initiated the practice of his profession in Buena Vista county, Iowa, in which state he continued in practice until 1879, when he came to what was then the territory of Dakota and located in Watertown, as one of the first representatives of his profession in the town and county. Here he became associated in practice with his brother, W. R. Thomas, and they succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice and in gaining marked precedence at the bar of the territory and the state. The subject has been most intimately identified with the growth and development of Watertown. He has been a member of the directorate of the City National Bank from the time of its organization, served for several years as president of the board of education, was incumbent of the office of mayor of the city, and has been shown other gratifying and unmistakable evidences of popular confidence and regard. He is at the present time president of the state board of charities and corrections, and the executive duties of this important office demand a very considerable portion of his time and attention. He has been an ardent and uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Republican party from the time of attaining his majority, and has been one of its most prominent leaders in this state. He effected the organization of the party in Codington county, and was chairman of its first central committee, while upon him devolved the duty of conveying to the governor the petition for the organization of the county. In 1880 he made a trip to Washington, where he prevailed upon the authorities to change the location of the United States land office from Springfield to Watertown. Mr. Thomas is an appreciative member of the time-honored order of Freemasons. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Watertown, of which he has been a trustee from the time of its organization. Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary Logan, who was born in Pennsylvania, and they have one child.