Charles W. Thomas, M.D.
CHARLES W. THOMAS, M. D. In the twenty years since he graduated from medical college, Doctor Thomas has done some splendid work in his profession in Patrick, Henry and Floyd counties. He is now engaged in practice at Floyd Courthouse.
Doctor Thomas was born in Patrick County, Virginia, April 21, 1876. His great-grandfather was Charles Thomas, a native of Appomattox County, who spent most of his life as a farmer in Patrick Comity. His wife was Judith Ripley, who also died in Patrick County. Their son, Richard Thomas, was born in Patrick County, and spent his life there as a farmer and slaveholder. His second wife and the grandmother of Doctor Thomas was Mattie Turner.
Walter H. Thomas, father of Doctor Thomas, was born at Buffalo Ridge in Patrick County, April 29, 1829. He spent all his life in Patrick County, inherited the farm of his father and died on this estate, eighteen miles north of Stuart, on May 9, 1919, when ninety years of age. He served as a Confederate soldier during the Civil war, but afterward was affiliated with the republican party. Walter H. Thomas married Judith Virginia Harbor, who was born at Buffalo Ridge, September 13, 1838, and is still living at the old homestead. She was the mother of nine children: Flora Alice, who died in Floyd County in April, 1923, wife of Sparred Tyler Turner, a farmer and merchant near Floyd; Mary K., who died in Patrick County at the age of forty-eight, wife of Adron Anglin, a farmer in Patrick County; James W., a farmer in Patrick County; Mattie M., who died in Patrick County in 1890, wife of Job I7. Lester, now living in Floyd County; Miss Lina, who makes her home with her mother; Nannie P., who died in Patrick County in 1898, married Thomas I. Elgin, one of the most prosperous farmers in Henry County, living near Martinsville; Richard F., a farmer who died in Patrick County in 1910; Dr. Charles W.; and Abram L., who died when two years old.
Charles W. Thomas acquired his early education in public and private schools in Floyd and Patrick counties, had two terms of instruction in Normal School, and during 1898-99 taught a public school in Patrick County. He then entered the Medical College, of Virginia, at Richmond, graduating Doctor of Medicine in 1903. Twice he has interrupted his private c practice to do post-graduate work, spending some months in 1911 in the New York Post Graduate School and Hospital, and for six months in 1912 attended the New York Polyclinic. Doctor Thomas after graduating at Richmond began private practice in Floyd County, but from 1910 to 1916 was a physician in Patrick County and from 1916 to 1920 was engaged in his professional work in Henry County. In 1921 he returned to Floyd County, and is busy with a general medical and surgical practice. He is unmarried and maintains his offices and home in the Floyd Hotel. Doctor Thomas is a member of the Medical Society of Virginia, the Southern Medical Association, and is secretary of the Floyd County Board of Health.
During the World war he volunteered for duty in the Medical Corps, but the armistice was declared before he was called. He did much patriotic work at home as a member of the Volunteer Service Medical Corps.