My Genealogy Hound

DAVID S. THOMAS, president of the Water-works Company, was born February 18, 1833, in Carmichael, Green county, Pennsylvania. His father, Nelson, was a native of Pennsylvania. His mother, Emaline, nee Shroyer, was a Pennsylvanian. David S. Thomas was reared and educated in part in Pennsylvania, and completed his education at New Castle, Indiana. He then entered as an apprentice to the chair making and painting trades, which he followed about three years; afterwards engaged in the saddlery business for a time. He spent several years in traveling in the West, subsequently teaching school, working at his trade, traveling on foot, or any way he could, finally returned to Illinois, in 1850, without a dollar. In 1857 he engaged in business in Fairbury and Minonk for a period of ten years. In 1867 he came to Carthage, Missouri, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for some four years. He was one of the incorporators of the Bank of Carthage. In 1872 he organized the First National Bank of Carthage, of which he was cashier. He continued as such until May, 1882, when he sold out. In 1881 he, with others, established a cattle ranch in Texas, the herd comprising some three thousand head of cattle, investing some $30,000, which has increased to $130,000. He is also interested in valuable mineral lands near the city of Carthage. Mr. Thomas was a member of the first school board under the city organization, and also a member of the building committee who built the public school building of Carthage, a credit to their sagacity and good taste. He is a member of the Masonic order and A. O. U. W. He married, in 1858, Miss Julia Stoddard, of Fairbury, Illinois. They have five children, all living. Mrs. Thomas died in 1874. He married Pauline B. Warren, who also died, in 1878. His present wife, Mrs. S. A. Slauson, he married in l880. Mr. Thomas is one of the foremost in all public enterprises as well as business circles, and commands universal respect.