Unqualified commendation is deserved by the man who by his own honest efforts rises from a humble position to one of prominence and large responsibility. Such an one is Thomas W. Drought, who owes his prosperity to hard work, perseverance and devotion to duty, supplemented by honorable ambition and natural ability. Although still a young man he has reached a field of broad influence and usefulness and is serving as general manager of the Broadalbin Electric Light & Power Company, while he also has other business interests of importance, ranking with the foremost citizens of his community. He was born November 30, 1889, and has a wide acquaintance in Broadalbin, for his life has been spent in this locality, in which his parents, James and Sarah (Moran) Drought, settled many years ago.
Thomas W. Drought obtained his education in Broadalbin, attending the grammar and high schools. At the age of sixteen he became interested in electricity, taking a course of study at home and augmenting his knowledge by practical experience. He entered the employ of the Broadalbin Electric Light & Power Company in the capacity of lineman in 1908, and in a remarkably short space of time demonstrated his worth to the corporation, being advanced to the position of general manager in the same year. He entered upon the work, holding to high ideals of service and the notable progress made by the corporation during the intervening period of sixteen years proves that Mr. Drought is the right man for the office. He is also general manager of the Broadalbin Supply & Construction Company, a subsidiary of the Broadalbin Electric Light & Power Company, and owns half of the stock in the D. & K. Fibre Company, a local enterprise. He is likewise a director of the Broadalbin Bank and the Broadalbin Knitting Company and receives a good income from his investments, which have been wisely placed.
On the 14th of February, 1914, Mr. Drought was married to Miss Catherine Perkins, a daughter of Spencer J. Perkins of Broadalbin. Mr. and Mrs. Drought have two children: Gail and Doris. The former was born November 8, 1916, and the latter on May 26, 1918. Mr. Drought is allied with the republican party and takes a deep interest in everything that affects the welfare of the village but has never aspired to public office, preferring to discharge the duties of citizenship in a private capacity. He belongs to Elks Lodge No. 226, at Gloversville, and to the Eccentric Club of that place. He has earned the right to the honorable title of "self-made man" and his record is a matter of pride to the citizens of Broadalbin, by whom he is regarded as one of the foremost of those who have wrought effectively for the development and progress of the community.