The farmer and mechanic., 1911-01-10

Captain j. j. Thomas.
Montague, Mr.. Henry T. Hicks, Mr. A.
4. u. Johnson. Mr.. B. S. Jernan
Sketch OF His Life.
Captain James J. Thomas was born
in Franklin county, July 19, 1881. He
was a descendant of Isaac Hunter. one
of the leading inhabitants Of Wake
county just after the Revolutionary
War. and a kinsman of Theophilus
Hunter, chairman of the first county
court and leutenant-colonel OF the
militia Of Wake. whose plantation,
Of the site Of Raleigh, was occupied
by Governor Tryon on his march
against the Regulators.
Captain Thomas was a robust youth
and was admirably trained. both at
home and in the excellent schools OF
Oxford and Louisburg. He was an
apt student, and pursued his studies
with such zeal that at the age Of nine
teen he was competent TO enter mer-
camille life.
To this vocation lie was led by his
own inclination, and in 1850 he en-
tered the store Of Messrs. B. 6 r. H
Kingsbury, in Oxford. as clerk. Under
their direction he became proficient
both as q salesman and as q book
keeper. Two years later he was en-
ployed by Captain overly and entrust-
ed with the charge Of q large tobacco
and banking business at Clarksvil'e,
Va After four years OF faithful SER
vice under Captain OVERLY, he Sc
cured position with Willingham &
Fllett, wholesale dealers in dry goods
and notions, in Richmond. After two
years spent at Richmond he obtained
\ position with w. H. & r. S. Tuck er
tbo dino 6ry-0OnSS merchants not
only OF Raleigh, but in the State or
North Carolina. At first employed as
hookkeepeT. he soon became their con-
idential clerk. and as long as he re-
rsained with them he enjoyed their
confidence and personal regard, but
fter several years work for this COM
pany he found himself in position to
embark in business on his own &C
count at F'rankiinton. which he con-
Quoted until the opening Of the War
Petween the States
I~pon the organization of a regim ent,
with Sion H. Rogers as colonel. Captain
Thomas was appointed regimental
ouarterYn aster. which position he filled
until it was abolished by the War De-
partment Later on the recomm enda-
tion Of General Lee, Captain Thomas
was apppoirted by the Secretary of
War assistant division quartermaster
nnder Major Wick. Of Heth's divisioe.
He accompanied lnc army OH IT'S HidTCn
into Pennsylvania, and on the 3Oth Of
June, 1863, proceeded to enter Gettys-
burg with a small detail Of infantry
and cavalry as guard against any
sudden attack Of Federal troops. On
the third day of the famous battle,
Captain Thomas was close up with his
division on the left Of Longstreet's S
corps. and during the retreat from
Gettysburg he, together with many
other Confederate soldiers, was cap
tured at Greencastle, Penn. Before
the day had passed, however, these
prisoners were rescued by band OF
Confederate troops under General I'm
boden. At the close of the war he was
detailed on special duty in Mecklen-
burg County, Va, and before this SER
vice had been completed, the surren-
der at Appomattox had taken place.
AS a boy, Captain Thomas had the
opportunity to have a military train
Ing, but an accident intervened. He
had been granted a cadetship at West
Point. but at this time his leg was
broken in fall, and because Of this
he gave up the appointment
Imm ediate1y after the war, Captain
Thomas, in conjunction with DR.. Will
liam J. Hawkins, B. p. Williamson and
Colin M. Hawkins. began commission
business in Baltimore, and operated Il
successfully until the year 1872, when
he returned to Raleigh. Later. these
gentlemen together with Mr.. w. G..
Upchurch, formed the firm Of William
son, Upchurch & Thomas, to conduct a
who1esal, grocery commission busi-
ness. After four years connection with
this firm, Captain Thomas withdrew
and established a new business house.
which. did large cotton business. He
was first president Of the Raleigh Cot
ton and Grocery Exchanges; one of the
promoters of the Oak City Mill, and
was it's president: assisted in the or
ganization of the Raleigh Savings
Bank, bein~ its first president: was one