My Genealogy Hound

Enoch E. Thomas, former mayor of Mt. Vernon, Ind., and ex-sheriff of Posey county, was born October 8, 1837, on a farm in Lynn township, Posey county, son of Capt. George W. and Ann L. (Noel) Thomas. George W. Thomas was born in Kentucky in 1813, while his parents were enroute from North Carolina to Posey county, Indiana, one year after the county was organized. The parents of George W. farmed, in Posey county from 1813 to 1855, when they removed to Mt. Vernon. He became the owner of several hundred acres of land and was a pioneer miller, having built the first steam mill in Posey county. In 1855 he engaged in wharf and steam boating on the Ohio river, following this business until his retirement. He represented Posey county in the State legislature two years and was county recorder four years, and at different times was city councilman. While recorder of the county he, with Governor Hovey, secured the passage of an act permitting the use of funds in the county treasurer’s hands for building the present court house. He was a life-long Democrat and belonged to the Masonic lodge. Enoch Thomas was reared on his father’s farm in Lynn township, where he attended the country schools three months out of the year. In 1855 his parents removed to Mt. Vernon and he attended the old seminary two years. He is essentially a self-made man, and at the age of eighteen he engaged in the wharf and boating business with his father under the firm name of G. W. Thomas & Son. He continued in the business until 1882, when he embarked in the coal business. In 1884 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the council from the Second ward, which is strongly Republican. This office he held two years. In 1886 he was elected mayor of Mt. Vernon, and was reflected in 1888. The water works franchise was granted during his first term as mayor. In 1897 he was elected sheriff of Posey county, and was reflected in 1899, serving four years and four months in all. He is said to have been the best sheriff the county ever had. He was always a prominent and active citizen. He is a charter member of the Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has filled all of its offices. At present he is treasurer of the lodge. On December 1, 1864, occurred the marriage of Enoch E. Thomas to Miss Anna Weaver, daughter of Dr. Warren Weaver, of Mt. Vernon. She was born in Evansville, Ind. They have five children: Gertrude, born in 1865, died in 1871; Mabel, the wife of Wilbur Cushman, lumberman, of Poseyville; Cornelia, the wife of Dr. C. H. Fullinwider, of Mt. Vernon; Emma, the wife of Charles Chislett, real estate, of North Vancouver, British Columbia; Ena, wife of A. K. Boyce, commercial traveler, of Terre Haute, Ind.