Captain Thomas H. Stokes was born on March 1, 1856 in Apalachicola, Fl to John and Elizabeth Stokes, both of whom were immigrants from Ireland. In 1867 the family moved to Pensacola due to the political and economic pressures of the Civil War. Both Thomas and his brother worked for their father's shipping business and acquired their seamanship abilities from him.

In 1885, during one of the many boom times for Pensacola's shipping industry, Thomas and his brother began an entrepreneurial steamboat business. Thomas soon became recognized throughout the community as the captain of the steam tug, Juno. Sadly, in 1890, five years after starting their business, Thomas died from complications from a severe cold.

Thomas's brother continued the business for a few years before moving on to other shipping ventures. Thomas's wife, Catherine, remained in Pensacola and raised their two children, Katie and Joseph.