An American Family History

Charles Lewis Thomas was born in Thornbury, Glouscestershire, England, on May 4, 1828. His parents were John Morgan Thomas and Mary Lewis. He was baptised on June 1, 1828 at Thornbury. He went to school in Toronto and received "an ordinary English education."

Charles L. Thomas, in partnership with a Mr. Drew, established the Western Pianoforte Manufactory of Canada, active ca 1856-ca 1893 in Hamilton, Ontario and known at times as C. L. Thomas & Co. In 1870 Western Pianoforte was producing some 70 pianos a year. A C. L. Thomas square piano may be seen at the Wellington County Museum, Elora, Ontario. (Florence Hayes, Encyclopedia of Music in Canada)

He married Mary Ann Bagwell in 1855. She was born about 1833 and was the daughter of  John Bull Bagwell and Mary Ann Rooke. They lived in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada.

Eva Celia Thomas Bond was born in 1856. Lizze Thomas Godall was born in 1858. Carrie E. Thomas Ortton, was born in 1862 in Hamilton. Carrie married Arthur Thomas Ortton. Annie Thomas, was born in 1864.

The family belonged to Methodist Zion Tabernacle Church in Hamilton and Charles was active in civic affairs. At the time of the 1871 census they were living in Hamilton City, St. George Ward.

Charles an alderman for the City of Hamilton, a member of the Odd Fellow Manchester Unity, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, he belonged to the Hamilton Lodge of Perfection, and the Hamilton sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix.  

Charles died on October 4, 1891 in Hamilton of Bright's Disease. Mary Ann died on November 16,  1917.

Children of John Morgan Thomas and Mary Lewis Charles Lewis Thomas Thomas Lewis Thomas Elizabeth Sheppard Thomas Musson Susannah Matilda Thomas Eliza Mary Thomas Treahy Jane Eliza (Jennie) Thomas Belford Francis John Thomas Mary Sophia Thomas Celia Ann Thomas Brodie Mary Sophia Thomas John Joseph Thomas Edward George Thomas