BIOGRAPHY: Robert R. THOMAS, Cambria County, PA
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann
Olsen.
Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty
Mirovich and Sharon Ringler.
USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives
remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in
accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of
providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by
anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities
so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including
copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to
uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb
Archives to store the file permanently for free access.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/
____________________________________________________________
From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 142-3
____________________________________________________________
ROBERT R. THOMAS, now actively and extensively engaged in the lumber and granite
business in Johnstown, is a son of Richard J. and Mary (Owens) Thomas, and was
born near Ebensburg, in Cambria township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October
16, 1851.
Richard J. Thomas was a son of Robert Thomas, a native and life-long
resident of Wales, where his family had honorable standing, and honorable
mention for centuries in local Welsh annals.
Richard J. Thomas was born June 6, 1827, received a good common English
education, and in 1849 came to Cambria county, where he settled in Cambria
township, and has followed farming ever since. After coming to this country, Mr.
Thomas made a study of political questions, and on the organization of the
Republican party joined its ranks, and through disaster and victory alike, has
supported its measures in every campaign. Although active and interested in
politics, yet he has taken a deeper interest and a more active part in the cause
of popular education, serving his township frequently as a school-director, and
in various ways promoting the improvement and well-being of the public schools.
He is a close and observant reader, and, besides acquiring quite liberal self-
education, has made himself well-informed upon all questions of public
importance or general interest. Not only philanthropic, but practically
patriotic, Mr. Thomas, in 1864, enlisted in company G, 192d regiment
Pennsylvania infantry, and served until the curtain fell upon the last act of
the great drama of civil war at Appomattox.
He married Margaret Owens, a daughter of Joseph Owens, who lived and died
in his native land of Wales. To their union were born a family of six children,
three of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity and are living are:
Robert R., Joseph O., a resident and farmer of Cambria township; and Jane, wife
of John E. Jones, who is engaged in farming in Cambria township.
Robert R. Thomas received his elementary education in the common-schools of
his native township, and then entered the Millersville State Normal school, from
which well-known institution he was graduated in the class of 1877. At eighteen
years of age, he commenced teaching, which he followed consecutively and
successfully for eleven years, excepting two years spent at the normal. At the
end of that time, in 1883, a good business opportunity presenting itself, Mr.
Thomas retired from teaching and formed a partnership with John W. Walters, of
Johnstown. They engaged in the timber business, and continued in partnership
until January 1, 1896, when he sold his interest to Mr. Walters, and branched
out for himself. His new office and lumber yards are on Center street,
adjoining the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot, and his large stock is constantly
recruited from the leading lumber markets of the country from Florida to
Washington. In addition to overseeing his extensive lumbering business, he is a
member and the general manager of the Bronlas Quarry company, whose quarries of
Ligonier granite are situated in West Taylor township about four miles down the
Little Conemaugh from Johnstown.
Mr. Thomas is a member of the First Congregationalist church of Johnstown.
In politics he has always supported the Republican party, and served from the
First ward for four years as a member of the Select Council of Johnstown.
On February 22, 1882, Mr. Thomas married Elizabeth Jane Davis, a daughter
of Evan and Rachel Davis, of Cambria township, who died April 27, 1886. They had
two children: Eldora May and Mabel Ann, both dead, Mabel Ann being lost in the
Great Flood, in which Mr. Thomas was barely able, and then by a mere accident,
to save his wife from a watery grave, in doing which he nearly lost his own
life.
On February 24, 1887, Mr. Thomas wedded Mrs. Mary Roberts, a daughter of
Humphrey and Elizabeth Jones, of Wales, and their union has been blessed with
one child, a daughter, named Elizabeth.