This black and white portrait shows Jonathan Thomas, (1841-1910), prominent businessman and philanthropist. Thomas a native of Lumberville, Pennsylvania, settled, in the 1870s, in Topeka, Kansas to work in the lumber business. Within a few years he owned and operated a number of lumber yards in the Topeka area. Thomas' business success allowed him to give back to the community. He raised money to purchase land for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company shops, as well as contributing financially to Washburn College. When the new Charles Thomas gymnasium, named in memory of Jonathan's son, was dedicated on June 3, 1909, Jonathan and his wife Josephine donated a set of chimes and a clock for the tower of the building. In 1901, Thomas became a trustee of the college and served nine years until his death on August 19, 1910.