David W. Thomas
lawyer and soldier, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, August 11, 1833, the fourth child in a family of six. His father was Joseph Thomas and his mother, Sallie Worthington. They were natives of Loudon County, Virginia, whose male ancestors were soldiers in the Revolution. His father was a wagon and carriage maker. He removed to Ohio in 1836, locating at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, and remained there three years. He then removed to Adams County, near Mt. Leigh, where he resided until his death in 1870. He was noted for his ability as a master mechanic, and esteemed for his sterling integrity of character.
Our subject's earlier years were passed in various employments, in the carriage shop and on the farm. His early training was limited to the common schools. In his twentieth year, he was so far advanced by self-culture, that he became a teacher of the district schools and engaged in that profession at Locust Grove, Adams County, where he taught two winters, and labored on a farm in the summers. In this period he began the study of law. In the winter of 1860, he removed to West Union and resumed his law studies under Col. Joseph R. Cockerill. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the immortal Co. D. of the 24th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment the full period of three years. On the second day of the battle Shiloh, he was wounded in the thigh and was incapacitated from service for about two months. After the battle of Stone River, he was promoted to first lieutenant and subsequently made captain of the company.
At the expiration of his term of service, he returned to West Union and again resumed the study of law under the late E. P. Evans. He was admitted to the bar on the first of October, 1864. Most of the time during the remainder of his life, he resided at West Union, and acquired a very extensive practice. In 1867, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Adams County, and served until May, 1869, when desiring to remove to Georgetown, Ohio, to practice his profession, he resigned that office and was succeeded by Franklin D. Bayless. Our subject, however, resided at Georgetown but two years, and then returned to West Union. He was elected mayor of West Union in 1873, and re-elected in 1874, holding the office three years consecutively. In his political faith, he was always a Democrat.
He was married on November 9, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Fritts, a native of Loudon County, Virginia. Their children were: Nellie, married to Charles Q. Lafferty, and died in 1889; William T., David Ammen, Joseph J., Alfred Tennyson, Hattie M., and Charles V.
Our subject died April 13, 1893, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at West Union, Ohio. His widow, daughter Hattie, and sons who are at home, reside at West Union.
David Thomas was a man of the most generous impulses. He was always ready to do a kind act for an enemy or a friend. His patriotism was of the unselfish, exalted kind, and it was his pride that he had been able to serve his country as a soldier in the Civil War. As a lawyer, when in the possession of good health, he was active, industrious and devoted to the interests of his clients. He possessed more than common ability in his profession and was successful, but his last years were burdened by infirmities, resulting from his service in the army, and he was compelled to relinquish the practice of his profession for several years prior to his death. He was of that noble band of patriots who offered their services to their country at the very outset of the war, to whom the people of Adams County and of all the country will be lastingly grateful. In politics he was always identified with the Democratic party. He was identified with the Presbyterian Church of West Union.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900