J. H. THOMAS
The election of Mr. J.H. Thomas, of this city, as president of the Citizens’ Bank & Trust Co. of Rutherfordton last Monday shows wisdom and sound judgment upon the part of the directors of that institution. Mr. Thomas has forged to the front and become a recognized leader in the affairs of the county, being identified with many of the largest financial and manufacturing concerns.
He is a young man—big in mind and body—of a vast experience and an uncanny manner of quickly grasping the most immense problems. Of a vigorous nature, endowed with every qualification of a successful financier, he stands today as a leader whose career stands out as a beacon to the young men of the county—proving that industry and ability will carry one to the uttermost heights of success.
A write-up of the career of Mr. Thomas, appearing in the Industrial Edition of The Charlotte Observer, is as follows, giving a resume of the activities of the man:
“Fifteen years ago, J.H. Thomas, a native of the Bluegrass state—old Kentucky—came to North Carolina and settled in the town of Caroleen.
Mr. Thomas today is frank in saying that about all he brought with him was a large amount of energy and enthusiasm and that his actual pecuniary assets were practically nil—in other words naught.
“In a very short time, however, he was called upon to organize the Farmers Bank and Trust company of Forest City, and since then he has been active head of the institution.
“As to how well the bank has succeeded under his guidance, it might be mentioned that the capital stock has grown from $40,000 to $100,000, that it now has a surplus and undivided profits of $177,000 and deposits of nearly $2,000,000, being the strongest country bank in the 10th congressional district of North Carolina.
“Now here for the surprise—for to one who knows not the man, one would imagine that here is a man well past the middle span of life—but such is not the case. Mr. Thomas is 35 years of age.
“In all lines of business, Mr. Thomas has proved himself a very capable man with unusual executive capacity.
“In addition to being the active head of the Farmers Bank and Trust company, he has a great many other interests. He is president of the new Industrial bank, just opened in Forest City and which is finding favor throughout that section.
‘He is also president of the chimney Rock Trust company, president of the Spindale mills, president of the Smith-Thomas Lumber company, of Seale, Alabama; vice-president of the Doggett Lumber company, of Cottonton, Alabama; treasurer of the Chimney Rock Development company, and a director in a half dozen other enterprises.
“To be so diversified in business and yet handle all with such skill that all are meeting with success is a task that even the business giant knows consumed energy and capacity—to meet all these requirements, Mr. Thomas fulfills all with equal confidence and affableness.
“Mr. Thomas is also very popular with all whom he comes in contact. He is a Shriner and a Kiwanian and is very loyal to both of these organizations.
“Shoulders together” – that famous Kiwanis slogan—has always been a vital part of his creed and such has been the tonic of success.
“Mr. Thomas is very wide awake to opportunities and a most agreeable man to associate with at all times.
“He is a firm believer in the future of North Carolina and is proud to talk of the day that he came to the state.”
From the editorial page of The Forest City Courier, Thursday, Aug. 20, 1925. To see a photo of J.H. Thomas, go to:
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068175/1925-08-20/ed-1/seq-4/
No comments:
Post a Comment