Col. David W. Thomas

March 9, 1841 - Jan. 31, 1905

Col. David W. Thomas, President of the Thomas Lumber & Building Co., was born in Millersburg, O., March 9th, 1841, and came to Akron with his father George, in 1845, his mother, Jane (Wilson) Thomsas having died in 1842.He attened school in Akron until sixteen, then seved an apprenticeship of four years with Oviatt & Sperry at Tallmadge, in the carriage business, returning to Akron in 1861.

He enlisted in Co. G. of the "Old 19th," for three months and was at the battle of Rich Mountain. In October 1861, he enlisted in Co. H. 29th O. V. I., and was in the engagements at Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, and Gettysburg, and took part in quelling the riot at New York. From there he was sent to the South-west. He was in the batles of Wauhatchie and Lookout Mountain, and participated in all of the engagements of Gen. Sherman's "march to the sea." He enlisted as a private and rose through differant grades to Corporal, Sergeant, Orderly-Sergant, Sergent-Major, First-Lieutenant, and at Savannah was finally promoted to Captian. He was then assigend to a Co. A, the post of honor in the regiment, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., June 22nd, 1865. On his return to Akron he enjaged in the lumber business with his father and has continued in it ever since.

In 1876 he was elected Colonel of the 9th O. N. G., serving five years in command. For many years he was a valuble member of the Board of Education of Akron. He has always been an active and influential member of Buckley Post, and has filled nearly every office in it and was elected Department Commander of Ohio, at Cleveland, Jan. 1st, 1880.

Col. Thomas was married to Alice E. Hale, Sept. 9th, 1868, who died January 11th, 1880, leaving four children, three sons ( George H., James A., Frank) and a daughter (Elizabeth). He Married a second time on Dec. 18th, 1885, to Mrs. Isabella Gage,widow of the late Alden Gage, and daughter of the late Charles Webster, founder of the Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company.

was buried in Glendale Cemetery in Akron, Ohio.