Theodore Thomas.
Like many of the well-known musicians of to-day, Theodore Thomas not only inherited his talents from his father, but was a pupil of the latter. Mr. Thomas shares with Damrosch and some other conductors the credit of making music, not only familiar to, but popular with, the masses in this country. He was born at Esens, Hanover, Germany, October 11, 1835, and at the age of ten made his first appearance in public as a violinist. Shortly after that he came to the United States, and for a number of years gave performances in New York. After a successful tour in the south, which extended over two years, he returned to New York and appeared in concerts and opera, first as violinist and later as orchestra conductor. In connection with other musicians he organized an annual series of chamber concerts. In 1867 he founded the Thomas orchestra and maintained it until 1888. He also acted as conductor for the Brooklyn and New York Philharmonic societies. In 1891 he moved to Chicago, and since then has been conductor of the Chicago orchestra. He is director of the Cincinnati college of music, was musical director of the Chicago exposition and has held other prominent positions in the musical world. He has been married twice, his second wife being Rose Fay, of Chicago.