Thomas F. Dye
Thomas F. Dye, the efficienl superintendent of the State Girls' Industrial Home, at Delaware, was born February 14. 1860, in Meigs County, Ohio, and is a son of Martin and Martha (Berkely ) Dye.
The parental grandfather, Martin Dye, was born in Pennsylvania and removed from that State to Meigs County, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers. His father, Thomas Dye. was probably born in England. The father of Thomas F. Dye followed agriculture in Meigs County all his life. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church.
Thomas F. Dye was educated in the schools of Meigs County, and remained until he was seventeen years old on his father's farm, when he engaged in farming for himself. From early manhod he has been identified with politics and almost from that time has held public and responsible offices. His first township election was to membership on the Board of Education, his second to membership on the Board of Trustees, and at the general election in 1893, he was made county commissioner and served seven years as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Meigs County. On April 27, 1901. he was appointed by Governor Nash a member of the Board of Managers of the Ohio State Reformatory for Boys at Mansfield, and served on that board for over three years. On April 1. 1904. he was elected superintendent of the Board of Trustees of the Girls' Industrial Home at Delaware.
Mr. Dye is a man of striking personality. Few men have a more accurate knowledge of the industrial institutions of Ohio than he—knowledge that has been gained from years of experience. He has been active in advocating and securing appropriations for a half dozen of the large buildings which have been added to the Girls' Home, in the past three years. Mainly through his efforts, what is known as the "cottage plan" has been adopted, and a building recommended and designed by him, for the accommodation of seventy members of the class designated Merit, has recently been completed. It is a fine building, equipped with all modern conveniences, with spacious halls, reading and reception parlors, well furnished sleeping rooms, with the floors covered with attractive rugs. It is the idea to develop in the gir}s, by such attractive surroundings. a proper pride, that may act as a healthy stimulus to them after leaving the institution and inspire them to worthy and successful effort in the carrying out of their subsequent careers. While this building will accommodate no more than twenty per cent of the inmates, it stands as a reward for excellency in studies and meritorious deportment. It cannot but have a healthy influence on the life of all those who become its inmates, and the bread thus scattered on the waters may come back to Superintendent Dye increased a thousand fold.
On September 29, 1879, Mr. Dye was married to Addie C. Douglas, who is a daughter of John and Emeline Douglas, of Downington, Ohio. They have had four children, one daughter and three sons, namely: Mattie Blanche. John Martin, Douglas Franklin and Charles Herman. In political sentiment. Mr. Dye is a stanch Republican. He is a member of Harrisonville Lodge. No. 411, F. & A. M., of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Woodmen of the World. Since he was sixteen years of age he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908