Charles Hilliard Thomas, a representative citizen of Spring Creek Township, and a lifelong resident of Miami County, residing on a fine farm of 168 acres located east of Piqua, was born on his present farm April 5, 1857, and is a son of David E. and Maria (Hilliard) Thomas.  David E. Thomas was born in Wales May 10, 1816, where he grew to maturity and became a Baptist minister.  About 1954 he came to this country with his father, Eben Thomas, who was a medical practitioner, and who located in Licking County, Ohio, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until the time of his death.  David E. Thomas resided for some years in Piqua, where he had charge of the Baptist Church during that time, and in 1852 located on the farm on which our subject was born and now resides, and four years later erected the present dwelling on the place.  He was one of seven sons born to his parents, six of whom were ministers, one of whom, now in his eighty-ninth year, is a resident of Illinois.  Rev. D. E. Thomas never operated the farm himself. but employed others to run the place, he continuing with his work in the ministry.  He was united in marriage with Maria Hilliard, who was born July 31, 1821, on the old Hilliard farm, and died November 25, 1900.  Her father, Charles Hilliard, was one of the earliest settlers of Miami county, locating in Spring Creek Township in 1776, on the land now owned by our subject.  He always followed farming and owned a section of land where East Piqua is now situated, and the house in which he lived is still standing, just south of our subject's home.  There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, namely: Sarah, who died young; Emma, deceased; Anna, deceased; Elle, deceased; and Charles H., the subject of this record.  David E. died in Spring Creek Township May 5, 1864.  Charles H. Thomas was reared on his present farm, and received his educational training in the schools of the district and at Piqua, since then operating the home farm, where he carries on general farming and stock raising.  He is one of the most successful and progressive farmers of the township; is public spirited, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.  Mr. Thomas married Ella Carr, a daughter of Millard and Sarah Carr, well known farmers residing east of Piqua.  Mr. Thomas is politically identified with the Republican party; is fraternally a member of the I. O. O. F., and is an active member of the Baptist Church.