SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Stedman Thomas, Page 371

STEDMAN THOMAS, of Sheboygan Falls, part owner and manager of the Dairymen's Bank, was born in the village of Sheboygan Falls, February 4, 1856, and is the eldest son of the Hon. John E. Thomas, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work.  Our subject was educated partly in America and partly in Europe.  After attending school in his native city until sixteen years old, he went to Europe, and became a student of the Institute Breidenstein, at Grenchen, canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, where he pursued a course of study of nearly two years' duration, returning home in July, 1874.

    After his return he next went to Sheboygan, where he was employed in the office of Maj. Nathan Cole, in the insurance business, until January, 1876, after which he returned to the Falls and assisted his father in the office of the American Express Company, and in the insurance business.  He also served as book-keeper in the Falls Bank half of each day up to July, 1879.  In August of that year he became associated with E. W. Gillett, a flavoring-extract manufacturer, as a part of the office force.  That connection continued until May 1, 1881, when he accepted a position in the Chicago office of the Brackebush Coal Company, remaining there until November of that year, when he returned to the Falls and in company with his father opened the Dairymen's Bank, of which he has since been manager.

    On the 4th of March, 1889, Mr. Thomas was married to Rosa E. Cole.  Mrs. Thomas was born in Sheboygan Falls, and is a daughter of James R. Cole, deceased.  Her father was a son of Charles D. Cole, one of the very earliest pioneers of Sheboygan County, of whom see a record elsewhere in this work.  Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one child, a son, James Stedman, born in Sheboygan Falls, May 12, 1892.

    Mr. Thomas is a member of St. John's Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is a Democrat.  He is a practical business man and a good financier, as the fine condition of the Dairymen's Bank attests.  The Dairymen's Bank, during the panic of 1893, was able at all times, without outside aid, to pay every dollar of its "demand" deposits, and in addition paid on demand before maturity (less accrued interest) every three and four per cent. "time" certificate that was presented having the name of the Manager or President thereon; and its business increased from January to July, 1893, as its reports to the State Treasurer show.  This fact in connection with the "blue days" of 1893 is worthy of mention.