[1] John H. Thomas got his start in the shipping business with Furness Withy & Company at the Port of Baltimore.
As director, he controlled most of the docks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, subordinating all private business to facilitate the movement of troops and supplies to the war zone.
[3] After the war, he became vice-president of the International Mercantile Marine Company, a shipping trust founded by J. P. Morgan.
[9][10] He died in New York City on May 17, 1931, and is buried in Trinity Church Cemetery, St. Mary's, Maryland.
[11][12] The World War II Liberty ship SS John H. Thomas, named for him, was launched on February 5, 1944.