William Holland Thomas was a businessman, planter, and author who served as agent and attorney for the Eastern Cherokees, became a member of the North Carolina State Senate and chairman of its Committee on Internal Improvements, helped build railroads in western North Carolina, built the first wagon road across the Great Smokies, served as colonel of the 69th N.C. Regiment, commanded the Thomas Legion, C.S.A., and was a friend and benefactor of the Cherokee people.