Thomas Means

Thomas Williamson Means
Thomas, as he looked after his retirement
Born	November 3, 1803 Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States
Died	June 8, 1890(1890-06-08) (aged 86) Ashland, Kentucky, United States
Resting place	Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Ohio
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	Businessman specializing mainly in the iron industry of the Ohio River Valley
Spouse(s)	Sarah Ellison
Children	John, Margaret, William, Martha Ann, Isabella, Esther Elizabeth, Thomas Williamson, Jr., and Sarah Jane Means
Parent(s)	Col. John and Ann Means (née Williamson)

Thomas Williamson Means (November 3, 1803 – June 8, 1890) was a settler of Hanging Rock, Ohio, and a native of South Carolina. Together with his brother Hugh he became notable in Ashland, Kentucky, after he built the Buena Vista Furnace and became a director of the Kentucky Coal, Iron & Manufacturing Company. He was also the father of Ashland Mayor John Means.

Thomas' grandfather, William Means, settled in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, and later moved to South Carolina. Several of his sons participated in the American Revolution. His youngest son, Colonel John Means, a native of Union District, South Carolina, became an influential and prominent man in that State. Thinking it better to rear his sons in the free States, he moved to Ohio in 1819, gave his slaves their freedom, and settled in Adams County. Ann Williamson, his wife, was a Carolinian by birth, whose mother, Ann Newton, was a relative of Sir Isaac Newton.

Thomas Means was born in 1803, at Spartanburg, South Carolina, the son of John and Ann (Williamson) Means.

Means, in 1826, commenced his business career, at the Union Furnace, then building, and he had the honor of "firing" it. In 1837, he and David Sinton became the owners of the Union Furnace, and rebuilt it in 1844. The following year they built the Ohio Furnace, in Scioto County, adjoining. In 1847 he built Buena Vista Furnace, in Kentucky.

In 1852 Means purchased the Bellefontaine Furnace, Kentucky; in 1854 was one of the owners and builders of Vinton Furnace, Ohio; in 1863, in connection with others, bought the Pine Grove Furnace and Hanging Rock Coal Works, and in the following year, with his associates, the Amanda Furnace, Kentucky.

In 1853, next to such notable individuals as the Poage family and Levi Hampton, he was part of a hastily organized company that met with iron manufacturers at Bethseda Church in Ashland, helping to buy fifteen-hundred acres of land for the newly formed Kentucky Coal, Iron & Manufacturing Company.