From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 455.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


J. C. THOMAS

J. C. Thomas, a prominent merchant of Wheeling, of the well-known 
firm of Stone & Thomas, retail dealers in dry goods, was born in Ohio 
county in 1822.  He is a son of Edward Thomas, a native of South 
Wales, who came to America about the year 1818.  He landed in New 
Brunswick, but after a short residence there came to the United 
States and settled near Wheeling upon a farm.  He engaged somewhat 
in, farming, but was also a flat-boat pilot, and engaging in the coal 
trade, piloting his own boats to Cincinnati and Louisville.  His wife 
was Catherine Clark, a native of Belmont county, born in 1800 and 
died in 1871.  His death occurred in 1869.  On the Belmont county 
farm of his father, J. C. Thomas was reared, and he remained there 
until 1847, when he came to Wheeling and engaged in the dry goods 
trade with E. J. Stone, under the firm name of Stone & Thomas.  This 
veteran firm has since continued in business successfully, and its 
members are among the most highly esteemed business men of the city.  
Their many years in business have made them widely known throughout 
the valley.  Mr.Thomas began his enterprise on a limited and modest 
scale, but his efforts have been so highly rewarded that he is now 
one of the substantial men of the city. 


(Linda Fluharty)