My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS LEWIS JEFFERSON is a son of Thomas L. Jefferson, whose sketch is given above, and is a worthy scion of a noble stock, a fit representative of a name that stands untarnished. He was born in Louisville, April 16, 1854, and was educated in the admirable schools of that city. In growing to man’s estate he developed the firmness and systematic integrity of his father, and the kind, good sense of his mother, so that he gained and retained the confidence and affection of business men and those with whom he came in contact. His father instructed him in the science of accounts and while he was yet a lad entrusted him with the duty of looking, after the interests of his large property. His reports of this business were as exact and business-like as if it were done by the employed agent of a stranger. Thus did he become habituated to correct business methods, building a character upon the broad and sure foundation of honesty, sobriety, promptness and attention to details, which has placed him in the van of the young business men of the city. It is not, then, surprising that when scarcely twenty-three years of age he was admitted to partnership in the firm of Jefferson & Co., successors of the old firm of T. L. Jefferson & Bros., a large flour and commission house on Main and First streets, with which he remained until April 1880, when he became the senior partner of the firm of Jefferson &Wright, one of the largest wholesale and retail grocery houses in the city, being the successor of the old firm of Hibbitt & Son. On the death of his father, in 1884, he became, with his uncle, executor of the paternal estate, amounting to near half a million dollars. He was the chosen successor of his father as director in the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home, and treasurer of De Molay Commandery of Knights Templar. This commandery is the “Banner Commandery” of the United States, having won first prize in the national prize contest in San Francisco, in 1883, in this and many other drills the subject of this sketch participated. During the extended tour of the commandery across the continent, he was the unanimously elected financial officer, and his report was a pattern for fiduciary officers. He was also elected director of the Bank of Louisville in 1884, and of the Masonic Temple Company in 1887, and steward of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1884—to each of which positions, and the other positions above mentioned, he has been re-elected at each successive election, and now occupies all of these honorable and responsible places as well as that of director and vice-president of the Excelsior Savings Company. In February, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Katie Welman, eldest daughter of Mr. Floyd C. Welman (deceased). The fruit of this union is two sons, Floyd W. and Thos. L. When his brothers, Harry T. and Charles W., became of age Mr. Jefferson took them into partnership, and under the firm name of T. L. Jefferson & Bros, established two branch stores to accommodate his rapidly increasing business. He is also interested in building up our city, and in connection with his two brothers has recently erected a row of magnificent dwellings on Floyd street, occupying half the square from Gray street to Broadway; the property is known as Jefferson Terrace. He also (1885) entered in to another extensive business, that of pickle manufacturing (employing forty hands), under the style of J. M. Clark & Co.; they make the celebrated Hyman Pickles. To all of these interests he gives his skillful attention, and as a necessary consequence all are prospering. The confidence of the business and religious communities in him is clearly evinced by the foregoing, but that confidence is also shown by his serving as Master of his Masonic Lodge for three consecutive years, being first elected in 1878 when he was only twenty-four years of age. The present writer, as head of one of the great demonstrations that has distinguished Louisville during the current decade, had occasion to require the services and cooperation of a skillful, honest and systematic business man to handle the finance which amounted to many thousands of dollars. In seeking for the proper one to fill the place there seemed to be no one in the entire city so eminently fitted for it as the subject of this sketch, and his selection met with the unanimous and most hearty endorsement of the managers. The promptness and thoroughness with which the financial interests were managed proved the wisdom of the choice and has made a demand for subsequent like service, which if accepted would absorb Mr. Jefferson’s entire time. As a friend Mr. Jefferson is sincere and faithful; as a companion pleasant and accommodating; as a business man his ability, punctuality and rectitude stand unimpeached. As a man among men he is kind, modest and unassuming to a remarkable degree. He has not been spoiled by his success or inheritance and is agreeable and approachable in every position.