Postcard showing a photo of the Charles E. Thomas Home at 216 S. Jefferson Street, c. 1914. Written on back: The Thomas Home 216 Capital Ave S.W. Battle Creek Mich. House was north of Upton - it's gone. --From History of Calhoun county, Michigan: a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principle interests, Vol. 2, edited by Washington Gardner, 1913, pp. 1079-81. Biography Charles Edwin Thomas was born in Battle Creek, November 28, 1844, and is a son of Thomas H. and Marinda (Whitford) Thomas, natives of New York, whence the paternal grandparents of the former came from Wales in 1806... The early education of Charles E. Thomas was secured in the public schools of Battle Creek, and at the age of fourteen years he entered the family of Dr. Edward Cox, a pioneer physician of Michigan, for whom the Dr. Cox Block, built by Mr. Thomas on the site of the old Cox residence on West Main street, was named. In 1864 Mr. Thomas entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated with the class of 1868. During the progress of his law course he was a student in the law offices of Judge Benjamin F. Graves and Myron H. Joy, of Battle Creek, and in 1869 became a member of the legal firm of Dibble, Brown & Thomas, a partnership which continued until 1871, when the firm of Brown & Thomas was established. Upon the death of Mr. Brown, in 1887, Mr. Thomas succeeded to the business, and for some years practiced alone. On May 1, 1881, Mr. Thomas became connected with the Advance Thresher Company, being one of the original five stockholders and was soon after its organization its secretary. As a director and legal advisor and member of the executive board continuously from the date of its organization, he was connected with this great industry until November, 1911, at which time the business of the Advance Thresher Company was purchased by the Rumely Company of Indiana, which also absorbed the Gaar, Scott & Company plant of Richmond, Indiana. He was one of the organizers of the Union School Furniture Company, which burned out with a loss of over a half million of dollars. No man has taken more pride in the growth of his native city, and few done more in promoting the city's finances, the city's industries and conducting them on firm business principles. A Democrat of the old school, Mr. Thomas in his younger days was recognized as the "boss" of his party in this part of the State, and although his party was for the most time in the minority, he was frequently elected to positions of responsibility and prominence. In 1873 he was elected a member of the school board, and for eighteen years served in that capacity, being secretary all of that time. During this period an indebtedness of $81,000 of ten percent bonds was completely wiped out, and three new school buildings were erected, this accomplishment being credited in great part to Mr. Thomas's persistent and untiring labors. In 1871 he was sent to the council as alderman for two years, in 1873 reelected and in 1887 was appointed to fill vacancy and then the following spring elected for full term. As chairman of the ways and means committee provided the way in the payment of $200,000 railroad aid bonds, the payment of which had been stopped by the Michigan courts and enforced by the United States Supreme Court, after the lapse of five years. The bonds bearing eight and ten percent interest accumulated to a large indebtedness. While a member of the council or school board, no bonds or indebtedness were created except the bonds for construction of water works. Mr. Thomas was chairman of the committee that negotiated their sales, being the first low rate interest bonds. Mr. Thomas has always been a firm believer that posterity should not shoulder the burden created by the former generation. While in the common council he represented Calhoun county before the State Equalization board. In 1882 he was chosen a circuit court commissioner being one of three candidates elected on the Democratic ticket for the first time in Calhoun county in twenty-four years. During Mayor Whitcomb's term and Mayor Bailey's first administration, Mr. Thomas served Battle Creek as city attorney, and drew up many of the ordinances of the city. In 1894 President Cleveland appointed him postmaster of Battle Creek, and during his term of office the post office at Battle Creek, was raised from a second-class to a first-class office and many improvements in the service made. Mr. Thomas is a member of the charter commission of Battle Creek, and by the commissioners was delegated to make the first draft. He also assisted Mr. Dibble in drafting the present charter. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arch Masons, and also holds membership in the Athelstan and Country Clubs. During the last fifteen years he has been clerk of Oakhill Cemetery and takes interest in it. He owns considerable valuable real estate in Battle Creek, including the Thomas Block in which the Central National Bank is located, the Dr. Cox Building, and his own handsome residence at No. 216 South Jefferson street. On November 25, 1873, Mr. Thomas was married at Pennfield, Michigan, to Miss Isabelle Adams, of Penfield, and they have one daughter, Maud A. who was born in the old family home which stood on the present site of the Michigan Central Passenger Depot, and where Mr. Thomas was also born... Together with Hon. E. W. Moore, Mr. Thomas was executor of the will of the late Charles Willard and carried out his wishes in the building of the Young Men's Christian Association Home and the Charles Willard Library in Battle Creek, and also the dedication to the city of the Charlotte Willard Park... --From History of Calhoun county, Michigan: a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principle interests, Vol. 2, edited by Washington Gardner, 1913, pp. 1079-81.