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Subject: Oh-Clark Co. Bios (Thomas)
Date: 12 Sep 2005 23:13:52 -0000


Clark County OhArchives Biographies.....Thomas, Charles E. 1844 - January 1, 1921
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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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