Thomy Lafon was a businessman and philanthropist.

Lafon founded the Lafon Orphan Boys’ Asylum and the Home for Aged Colored Men and Women.

A successful real estate broker and business man, Lafon accumulated nearly half a million dollars – which was a great sum during his time.

Lafon died on Dec. 22, 1893.

Among them were Charity Hospital, the Lafon Old Folks Home, the Society of the Holy Family, and Straight University.