Joseph Thomas
Joseph Thomas, farmer, son of Edward P. and Abigal (Benham) Thomas, was born in Washington Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, August 19, 1834, and has followed farming as his life occupation. He was married, January 1, 1861, to Charlotte Ramsey, daughter of Bloomfield and Matilda A. (Reeder) Ramsey, who was also born in the township April 23, 1844. They have had the following children: Joseph B. Edward P. (deceased), Mary E., Olive A., Melissa L., William H. L., Eve M. and Charles P. Our subject was but four years old when his father died, and at twelve years of age, began working out by the month to help his mother support the family. In 1855, he and his brother Benjamin rented a farm, and by hard, constant toil, and steady, economical habits, saved sufficient to purchase 100 acres of land, upon which Benjamin now lives. In 1865, Joseph sold his interest in the above farm to his brother, and purchased his present homestead of 133 acres, which is the legitimate result of his earnest efforts to succeed in life. Mr. Thomas is regarded as one of the progressive farmers of his native township, and his motto has even been to be just and honest with all men.
From The History of Montgomery County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co., 1882