An American Family History

Edward G. Thomas founded the Thomas Organ Co. in 1875 in Woodstock, Ont. The company was managed later, however, by James Dunlop, who acquired a part interest in 1891 (on Thomas' death) and full interest in 1895 (when the firm became the Thomas Organ and Piano Co; incorporation followed in 1919).

A prosperous export trade with Britain was begun in 1893, and orders for organs came later from Australia, New Zealand, Holland, and Germany. At the turn of the century the firm produced an estimated 150 reed organs and 1000 piano stools and benches a month. In 1916 it began to manufacture record cabinets. In the 1920s it introduced the Thomas Orchestral and Symphony models of reed organ. Late in the decade the firm enjoyed a slight surge in the sales of its portable organs. By the mid-1940s, however, when James Dunlop's son, John G., was president, it had turned to furniture building, and later it became a subsidiary of the Whirlpool Company of the USA and relinquished the Thomas name.
Florence Hayes
Encyclopedia of Music in Canada

Thomas, Edward George, Woodstock, the subject of this sketch, was born in the City of Toronto on the 2nd of October, 1853. His father and mother were natives of England and came to Canada in 1832. Mr. Thomas was first sent to the public schools and afterwards attended the Model School at Toronto. 

Having completed his studies and attained his sixteenth year, he entered the Military school, 29th regiment, then commanded by Colonel Farrington; and graduated in due time, and then moved to Hamilton, where he learned the trade of organ-building, in the establishment of Thornton & Green. After he had mastered this trade, he was appointed manager for the Canada Organ & Piano Co., of Toronto. In 1874, he established what was known as the burial case factory, now one of the largest, most thorough, and popular institutions of its kind in the country. 

In 1875, he sold his interest in this business and removed to Woodstock, where he saw a field for organ-building. Here he at once began the manufacture of organs, and his exertions were soon rewarded with success. Every year saw an increase in the capacity and output of his establishment, till the business attained its present large dimension. 

In 1881, Mr. Thomas was elected alderman for the City of Woodstock and likewise for1883 in which latter year he retired. He was a painstaking and clearheaded civic legislator and during his official term was chairman of the fire, water and light committee. He has taken considerable interest in secret society affairs and is a prominent member of Odd-Fellows lodge No. 88  He is likewise a member of Grand Lodge, and has held high trusts in the Masonic order.

In religion our subject is a staunch Episcopalian. He married in 1872, Margaret Campbell, daughter of the late William Campbell of Hamilton and by this union has had four children. In politics he is a staunch Reformer; and he does not content himself with merely wishing his party well, but he is a constant and zealous worker.

 P. 261, A Cyclopedia of Canadian Biography, Rose Publishing Company, 1886, George Maclean Rose