U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas, F. S. (1850-1908) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 495-497 F. S. THOMAS, M. D., one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons of Southwestern West Virginia, proprietor and physician in chief of the Thomas Private Hospital, at Charleston, was born in August, 1850, near Sissonville, West Virginia. He is a son of George D. and Sarah (Jones) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in the District of Columbia, the latter still surviving in Roane County, West Virginia, at the age of 96 years. Dr. Thomas received his primary education in private and select schools, where he was prepared for entrance to Marshall College. His medical reading was pursued with Dr. T. P. Carpenter, of Poca, West Virginia, and he graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland in 1878. This was supplemented with study, experience and graduation, at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1887. Since that time, for the past 15 years, he has taken post-graduate courses annually, both in Baltimore and New York, on the theory that this is the only true way for a physician and surgeon to keep abreast of the times, and to thoroughly absorb modern methods and discoveries, Dr. Thomas is a self-made man in every sense that the term implies, and it has been through his own perseverance and the exercise of an iron will that he has risen to his eminent position among the professional men of the State of West Virginia. He is regarded with respect and esteem and is one of the truly substantial and representative citizens of Charleston. In 1878, Dr. Thomas located at Malden, West Virginia, where he was successfully engaged in the work of his chosen profession for a number of years. In 1884 he began practice at Charleston where he was also interested in a drug business, in partnership with Mr. Potterfield, the firm style being Thomas & Potterfield. In 1902 Dr. Thomas sold his interest to his partner, who still conducts a flourishing business, the firm by honest dealing having won the confidence of the public. Dr. Thomas has become one of the leading citizens and is identified with a number of the most important and successful business enterprises. He is president of the Charleston Ice & Coal Company, is a stockholder in the Charleston National Bank, and is also interested in coal mining operations. Perhaps, though, he is more widely known as the proprietor of the Thomas Private Hospital of Charleston, a noble institution in which the residents of that city take a just pride. The beautiful hospital building is an ornament to the city, while the institution's aims are of the noblest. The building was erected by the city during 1896-97, at a cost of $30,000, and is under lease to Dr. Thomas, who with a large staff of consulting physicians and surgeons conducts an institution of incalculable value to Southwestern West Virginia. Its scope is broad and its equipment complete. Dr. Thomas has a reputation in the profession second to none in the State, and he has gathered about him specialists on every disease to which poor human flesh is heir. The hospital on account of its healthful and beautiful surroundings, and its most excellent management, provides not only for the dangerous sick, but also for those who seek rest and restoration from the strain of either business or social life. In 1879 Dr. Thomas married Ruth Lee Putney, who is a daughter of Dr. James Putney, of Malden, West Virginia, and a descendant of the old Putney and Ruffner families of Virginia. Two children have been born to this marriage, James P. and Ruth M. In religious belief the family are Presbyterians. Dr. Thomas belongs to the Kanawha County Medical Society, and also the American Medical Association. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Register of Deaths, 1908, Kanawha County, WV (Page 255, Line No. 9) FULL-NAME: F. S. Thomas DEATH-DATE: January 7, 1908 AGE-AT-DEATH: 58 years OCCUPATION: Physician CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Pneumonia INFORMANT: J. P. Thomas Tombstones in Spring Hill Cemetery, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV Dr. F. S. Thomas (Aug. 18, 1850 -- Jan. 7, 1908) Ruth P. Thomas (1856-1918) ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Kanawha County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/kanawha/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------