History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III, Part 107

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 854


USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. III > Part 107


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Gwenny married Joshua Hunt. Issue: Thom- as, Samuel, John, David, Roger, William, Liz- zie, married to Hopewell Hepburn ; and Gwenny, married to William Vollmer.


Samuel Thomas, son of David and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Thomas, was born March 13, 1827, in Yniscedwyn, Brecknockshire, South Wales, and died at Catasauqua, Feb. 20, 1906. When 13 years of age, he came with his parents to America. He had at that time acquired the rudi- ments of an English education, and upon the ar- rival of the family here, became a pupil at Naza- reth Hall, where he remained for nearly three years.


On returning home he entered the shops of the Crane Iron Works, where he secured a practi- cal knowledge of the business. At the age of 19, he took an active part in the management of the iron works and also in developing their mining interests, and when 21 years of age he went to Boonton, N. J., where he constructed a blast furnace.


In 1854, when the Thomas Iron Company was organized, he became general superintendent, and at the end of 10 years, was elected president of the company, continuing in service until 1887, when he resigned. In 1886, he started the con- struction of a blast furnace in Jefferson county, Alabama, four miles west of Birmingham, at a place afterwards named Thomas, after him. The furnace was started in May, 1888, when the


C


John Thomas


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


construction of another furnace was commenced and which was completed in the early part of 1890. These furnaces continued in successful operation under his guidance until 1899, when the property was sold. He then retired from active participation in business affairs.


Mr. Thomas was actively identified with the Presbyterian church of Hokendauqua, in which he filled the office of trustee for a number of years. He married (first) in March, 1848, Re- becca Mickley, a daughter of Jacob Mickley, born June 19, 1823. She died Nov. 16, 1891. - The results of this union was four children: Ger- trude, who married Dr. Joseph C. Guernsey. Issue: Ethel, Raymond, Madeline, and Newell ; Edwin; Reed Dale; and Edgar M., who died in infancy.


Mr. Thomas married (second) in 1894, Julia M. Beerstecher, a native of Switzerland.


Edwin Thomas, son of Samuel and Rebecca (Mickley) Thomas, is one of Catasauqua's lead- ing business men. He is president of the Cat- asauqua National Bank and is interested in various business enterprises. He is married to Ella Boyd, and they are the parents of the following chil- dren: Samuel B., H: Dale, and Ruth Thomas.


John Thomas, son of David and Elizabeth Thomas, was born at Yniscedwyn, Wales, Sept. 10, 1829. When a lad of ten years he was brought by his parents to America. The family remained in Allentown but a short time, soon removing to Catasauqua, where he spent his youth. He was educated in Allentown, and later became a pupil at Nazareth Hall, North- ampton county, where he completed his studies. He then determined to secure a practical knowl- edge of the business of an iron-master, so enter- ing the shops of the Crane Iron Works, where he mastered the work of the various departments, gaining a thorough knowledge of the industry.


On the retirement of his father, David Thomas, he succeeded him in the superintendency of the entire plant. He served with ability until 1867, when he resigned to accept a like position at the Thomas Iron Works at Hokendauqua. Under his management two new furnaces were installed by the company. He continued in this position until early in 1893, when he resigned and retired from active business, residing in his mansion in Hokendauqua, where he died, March 19, 1897.


He became identified with other large business enterprises. In politics he was a Republican ; and in religion, he and family affiliated with the Presbyterian church, to which he was a most liberal supporter.


He married, May 7, 1855 Miss Helen Thomas, daughter of Hopkin and Catherine (Richards) Thomas, natives of Glamorganshire, South


Wales, who emigrated to America in 1834. Is- sue : David H., Blanche, Harry, Miriam, Bes- sie H., Samuel R., Catharine V., John W., and Helen, who died in infancy.


Miriam Thomas, eldest daughter of John and Helen Thomas, married Col. Perry Harrison. Issue : Helen, Elizabeth, Thomas, and John Harrison.


David H. Thomas, son of John and Helen (Thomas) Thomas, was born in Catasauqua, Pa., Dec. 18, 1860; married Jennie Rader, who died Jan. 25, 1890. Issue: David R., Elizabeth R., and J. R. Thomas.


John W. Thomas, the third son of John and Helen' Thomas, married Florence Snyder.


Catherine V. Thomas, daughter of John and Helen Thomas, married E. P. Wilbur, Jr. Issue : Lockhart, Helen, and Stella Wilbur.


SAMUEL R. THOMAS, vice-president and for- mer superintendent of the Ironton Railroad, resid- ing at Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania, was born March 7, 1869, son of John and Helen (Thomas) Thomas.


Mr. Thomas was educated in the public schools of his native community, the private school of Prof. Alexander N. Ulrich, at Catasauqua, and graduated from the Renssaeler Polytechnic In- stitute of Troy, New York, in 1891. He then entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Com- pany, at Hokendauqua, and has remained con- tinuously with this corporation up to the present time, having served it in various capacities. He is the efficient superintendent of the Ironton Rail- road since 1907, having offices in the Thomas Iron Company building at Hokendauqua.


Politically, Mr. Thomas is affiliated with the Republican party ; has served the Hokendauqua independent school district as president of the board of directors from 1907 to 1911, at which time the district was abolished by enactment of the present school code; was elected township commissioner for two terms, from 1907 to 1913.


Mr. Thomas and his family are active mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as a member of the trustee board for a number of years.


On Oct. 14, 1893, he was married to Bessie M. Laury, a daughter of Alexander C. P. and Mary (Hirst) Laury; and a granddaughter of the late Judge David Laury, of Lehigh county, who resided at Laury's, in North Whitehall township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas was born an only daughter, Miriam Thomas, who was edu- cated in the Moravian Parochial School, at Beth- lehem, and Miss Porter's School, at Farmington, Connecticut. She was married on May 27, 1914, to Edward F. Rice, of Danville, Pa. He is a


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member of the firm of the Danville Structural . pointed master mechanic of the Crane Iron Tubing Works. Works.


HOPKIN THOMAS FAMILY.


Hopkin Thomas, for many years master me- chanic of the Crane Iron Company and one of the oldest residents, as also one of the most influ- ential citizens of the Lehigh Valley in connection with its industrial interests, was born at Glamor- ganshire, South Wales, in 1793. He remained with his parents on their farm until his sixteenth year, when he was apprenticed to the Neath Abbey Works, near Neath, South Wales, to ac- quire the trade of a machinist. "He early devel- oped a fertile brain, and on fulfilling his appren- ticeship speedily attained a high position among his fellow-workmen. In 1834 he determined to emigrate with his family to America, and on land- ing in Philadelphia in 1834, obtained employ- ment without difficulty in the establishment of the Baldwin Locomotive Works. He later entered the shops of Garrett & Eastwick, from where he engaged with the Beaver Meadow Railroad & Coal Company as master mechanic of their roads and mines. During this period his inventive genius was first developed, and made invaluable to his employers. In his mechanical inventions and appliances he was conceded to be the pioneer of the Lehigh Valley. Through one of these in- ventions anthracite coal was first made available for use in locomotives, and in this application of coal as fuel he was at least twenty years in ad- vance of all others. He invented and successfully used the chilled cast-iron-car-wheel, as also the most improved and successful mine-pumps and machinery of the day. In all mechanical matters he was far in advance of his day, and in the rail- road and coal interests of the country he may with justice be regarded as filling the position of an eminent benefactor. Mr. Thomas was peculiarly modest and unassuming in his character, a fact which prevented his attaining either distinction or wealth. Content that the world should be benefitted by the productions of his genius, he cared little whether they brought him either fame or profit. In his business relations he was up- right, in his social intercourse true-hearted and faithful, and in his home the typical head of a cheerful and happy domestic circle.


Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Richards, of Merthyr-Tydvil. South Wales. Their children are: William R .; Mary (Mrs. James H. McKee) ; Helen (Mrs. John Thomas) ; James; Kate M. (Mrs. James W. Fuller). The death of Mr. Thomas occurred on the 12th of May, 1878, at his home in Catasauqua, to which place he removed in 1853, on being ap-


William R. Thomas, now an aged resident of Catasauqua, was born at Merthyr-Tydvil, South Wales, May 30, 1829. He learned the machinist trade at Weatherly, Pa., and after completing it at the age of twenty years, he followed it in the Lehigh Valley until 1865, then was superin- tendent of the Thomas Iron Company, for seven years; and the following five years he was the su- perintendent of the Crane Iron Company, at Cat- asauqua. Mr. Thomas served the Redington Iron Works, as superintendent, for three years. He was in the South for six years erecting and su- perintending iron industries, after which he ac- cepted a position as master mechanic with a west- ern railroad. In 1887 he became the mechanical engineer for the Davies & Thomas Company, and this position he serves now, notwithstanding that he is past four-score years old and could take life easy. He is a remarkable man. His mind is clear and he is alert and active in both mind and body. He and family are Methodists. He was a Sunday school superintendent for five years. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and a member and esteemed citizen of the "Iron City."


His wife is Martha, daughter of Francis May- hew. They were married in 1856, and are the parents of these children: Frank, James, John, Helen, Katie, Mary, Ira, William R., Jr., and Fritz.


James Thomas, son of Hopkin, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 22, 1836. He appears to have inherited his father's genius in mechanics, and early in youth thoroughly learned the iron industry, in which business his attentions were engaged all his active life and in which he has been eminently useful. He superintended the Parryville furnaces some years, and about 1870 he went South and erected furnaces there. He left Oxmore, Alabama, to come to Catasauqua, where in 1876 or '77 he became an equal part- ner with George Davies in the firm of Davies & Thomas. The plant, located at East Catasauqua, was the means of building up that town. Mr. Thomas remained a member of the company until his death on Dec. 18, 1906.


He was active in the religious, social and poli- tical affairs of Catasauqua. As a pillar of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he served it in all its offices for many years; also was the honored superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. He was connected with all the bodies of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics he was a strong Republican. He was a national delegate in 1892, to the convention that nominated Gen- eral Benjamin Harrison for President. Mr.


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


Thomas also was a member of the town council and the school board of Catasauqua for some years. His wife, Mary Ann Davies, was a daughter of Daniel Davies, who was the father of George Davies, his business associate. Seven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, as follows: Blanche, the wife of C. R. Horn; Mary, died at the age of twenty-eight years; Rowland D .; Ruth, the widow of W. A. McKee; Helen, is married to Dr. J. L. Horn- beck; Catharine, died aged eighteen years; and Hopkin.


WILLIAM R. THOMAS, JR., the president and general manager of the Wahnetah Silk Company, at Catasauqua, Pa., was born in Catasauqua, Pa., was born in Catasauqua, July 15, 1870. Mr. Thomas was educated in the public schools and in the University of Pennsylvania, where he took a special course in chemistry.


In the year 1891 he became connected with the Wahnetah Silk Company, as assistant superin- tendent; and in 1896, he was made the general manager, and eleven years later, in 1907, he be- came the president of the company, which now employs nearly four hundred people.


Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Methodist Church. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic Fraternity. He is a member of Porter Lodge, No. 284, F. & A. M., and Catasauqua Chapter, No. 278, Royal Arch Masons.


He was wedded, March 27, 1901, to Miss Minnie Milson, daughter of the late Daniel Mil- son, of Catasauqua. They have these children : Milson T., and William R. III.


ROWLAND D. THOMAS, the former president of the Davies & Thomas Co., of Catasauqua, was born at Parryville, Northampton county, Pa., Oct. 28, 1868. After his education in the public schools and Catasauqua High School and private institutions, he learned the machinist and mould- ing trades with the Davies & Thomas Co., with which he is connected since 1894, as employee and official. He was made the secretary and treasurer also the general manager of the company in 1906, and the following year, 1907, he became president of the company, which gives employ- ment to five hundred men.


Mr. Thomas is a Republican in politics, and in 19II, was elected as school director for a term of four years under the new school code. He assisted in the completion of the high school build- ing that was erected during 1911-12. It is one of the finest school buildings in the state.


Socially he is a member of the Catasauqua Club and the Masonic Fraternity. Mr. Thomas, in 1903, was Worshipful Master of Porter Lodge, No. 284; F. & A. M., and was High Priest of the Catasauqua Chapter, No. 278, R. A. M. He


is a member of the Allen Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templar, Allentown; and Rajah Tem- ple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Reading, Pa. ""


On Oct. 27, 1897, he wedded Miss Clara Hop- kins, daughter of John and Mary Hopkins. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Episcopal Church and he is a trustee of it.


HOPKIN THOMAS, the general manager of the Davies & Thomas Co., at Catasauqua, Pa., is one of the enterprising business men of that borough, in which he received his intelectual and early training. He graduated from the Catasauqua high school in 1895. He was the vice-president of the Davies & Thomas Co., for two years, and in September, 1913, was appointed the general manager of the company which employs 400 men. He is a member of the Catasauqua Club and the Masonic Fraternity, also of Catasauqua.


V. G. TICE.


V. G. Tice, of Allentown, manager of several creamery companies, was born July 29, 1863, at Allentown, in Lehigh county. He received his education in the public schools and at the Black- man Business College; then he learned the trade of tanner at Griesermerville and followed it for seven years. In 1888 he associated with E. M. Loux, Elvey Loux and W. M. Loux and organ- ized the Spring Creek Creamery, which they conducted for twenty-four years at Trexlertown, securing the milk from the farmers in that sec- tion of country. They traded under the name of The Loux Creamery Company, of which he was the vice-president and general manager. In 1898, they became incorporated. In 1906, he be- came identified with the Bradford and Susque- hanna Creamery Company, and he organized the West Auburn Creamery Company, with main office at Allentown, of which he became the sec- retary and treasurer. In 1912, he also organized the Empire Creamery Company, with the main of- fice at Allentown, and of this he also became the secretary and general manager. These companies practically supply all the ice cream.manufactur- ers at Allentown with milk and cream.


In 1885, Mr. Tice was married to Clara M. Loux, daughter of Elvey M. and Magdalena (Mills) Loux, of Allentown, and they have six children: Bertha, Herbert, Edith, Warren, Wil- lis, and Elsie. They are members of the Turner street Evangelical church.


His father, John Tice, was a native of Cedar- ville, where he carried on farming. He died at the age of twenty-four years. He was married to Sarah Cole and they had two children: Vallie G., and Cora, widow of Dr. Carr, late of Phila- delphia. ..


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


TOLAN FAMILY.


The pioneer of this family was William John Tolan, born in Ireland January 5, 1830, and emigrated to the United States about 1853, settling at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. He was an iron-worker by occupation, but served as founder with the Crane Iron Works for many years and until the time of his death, July 9, 1898.


Mr. Tolan and his family are Presbyterian. His wife was Elizabeth Kennedy and she died June 22, 1888, aged 57 years. Their children were: James (furnace and mill-worker at Pitts- burgh, Pa., married to Annie Sutton, and they have five children) ; William; Robert; James; Annie and Martha) ; Robert (deceased) ; Eliza- beth (m. Samuel Mitchell) ; John (died at Wor- cester, Mass.) ; Thomas; William; Samuel, and David (at Catasauqua). David was a tax-col- lector of Catasauqua, and died there May 16, 19II, aged 43 years and 18 days.


Robert Tolan was born at Catasauqua on August 1, 1857, and died January 3, 1902. In early life he was a laborer, but then learned the machinist trade with the Crane Iron Com- pany. After following this trade with them for some years he became the master-mechanic of the company and filled the position for fourteen years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.


Mr. Tolan and his family were prominently identified with the Presbyterian church in Cata- sauqua. He married Isabella Dougherty, a daughter of Matthew and Mary ( Mackintoch ) Dougherty, and they had six children, all of whom were given the advantages of a good education and now occupy positions of useful- ness and honor at Catasauqua: Margaret, the eldest, and Susan, the fourth child, are public school teachers; Isabelle is a stenographer ; Wil- liam J. (mentioned in a separate sketch) ; Eliza- beth, the third child, died young; and Martha, the youngest is at home.


Thomas Tolan, the twin brother of William, was born January 29, 1864. At the age of four- teen years he entered the employ of the Crane Iron Co., and when sixteen years old learned the trade of a blacksmith. He has followed his trade continuously in the employ of the same company until the present time.


In 1883 he married Nancy McCandless, and they had eight children, all living except Eliza- beth and Harry. The names of those living are: Sallie, Leslie, David, Martha, Mary and Robert.


WILLIAM TOLAN, founder at the Crane Iron Works, was born January 29, 1864. He at-


tended the Catasauqua public schools, and when fourteen years old went to Birmingham, Ala- bama, where he worked on a farm until he be- came twenty-one years of age. He then returned to Catasauqua and entered the employ of the Crane Iron Works. In 1900, he was made fore- man of the foundry, and this position he has filled in a successful manner until now. So- cially he is a member of the Knights of the Mys- tic Chain, at Allentown, and of the Red Men. at Catasauqua. He is a Republican.


In April, 1886, he was wedded to Margaret McClellan, daughter of James and Margaret Jane (Dobbins) Mcclellan, natives of Ireland, who came to this county about the time William J. Tolan emigrated. They have three children : Benjamin (machinist at Catasauqua, married to Catharine Kohler, and have a daughter, Mil- dred) ; William H. (machinist at Catasauqua) ; and Alice E. (a graduate of the Catasauqua High School and now a stenographer ).


James Tolan, the seventh child of William J., was born May 12, 1866. After his educa- tion in the borough schools he learned the machinist trade with the Crane Iron Works, and he has been in the continuous service of this great establishment since 1886. He is the re- pairman for the company. In politics he is a Republican.


In 1889 he married Dora, daughter of August Richter, and they had eleven children: Bessie, Dorothea, Frederick, John, Laura, James, Al- bert, Robert, Samuel, Emma, and one other, the last four having died.


WILLIAM J. TOLAN, master mechanic of the Empire Steel and Iron Company at Catasauqua, was born in that borough, June 13, 1883. He is the only son, and second oldest child, of the late Robert Tolan. After the completion of his schooling at the age of fourteen years he began learning the trade of machinist with the Crane Iron Co. and he served the trade for a period of eight years, when he took charge of the rolling stock and served as foreman for three years. He was then promoted to the responsible position of master-mechanic, which he has held until now. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Order of Redmen.


EDWARD D. TRANSUE.


Abraham Transue, a French Huguenot, emi- grated from the Pfaltz in 1730 and locating in Montgomery county, Pa., but on March 30, 1736, he took out a warrant for 150 acres of land situated in Salisbury township, now Lehigh county. His wife was Anna Margaret, and they had these children, baptized as follows:


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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.


(John) Abraham, on June 25, 1731; Jacob, July 28, 1734; and Elizabeth, June 20, 1736; also a daughter, Anna Catharine, who was born in the Pfaltz, March 6, 1722. She accompanied her parents to this country, and on January 1, 1741, married Sebastian Heinrich Knauss (1714- 1777), a Moravian, with whom she had thir- teen children.


The Federal census of 1790, records the name of Abraham Transue (a son of the pioneer) a resident of Williams township, Northampton county ; and he had then two sons over sixteen years of age, and one son under sixteen years, and three females. In the same township, in the same year there appear the names of Elias Tran- sue and Abraham Transue, Junior. The latter was the third of that name, and his family was made up of himself and wife and a young son and daughter. Elias had a wife and two sons and three daughters.


In Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, the Federal census of 1790 records as heads of families, Jacob, John and Melchoir Transue. Jacob's family was made up of one son and five females ; John's of one son and three females; and Melchoir's of a wife, two sons and one daughter.


Peter Transue, a descendant of Abraham, the pioneer, was born April 23, 1777, and came from Saucon township, to Allentown, where he lived until his death, September 20, 1841. He is buried on the old Allentown cemetery. His wife was Elizabeth Grube, of Saucon township. Their children, all deceased, were: Samuel; Jacob (who operated a grist mill near Easton, Pa., some years but later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where some of his sons now reside) ; Charles (a bricklayer, who died at Northampton, Pa.) ;. William (a moulder, who died at Tiffin, Ohio) ; Susanna (who died a maiden in Phila- delphia) ; Mary; and Lydia (wife of Stephen Ritter ).


Samuel Transue, son of Peter, was born Nov. 14, 1817, and died at Allentown, April 24, 1891. He served as engineer at the Barber Foundry Company upwards of forty years. At Allen- town he always lived in the First Ward. Ele- mina Gabel, his wife, was born in 1830. She was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Gabel. She died in 1868, aged thirty-eight years. The family burials were made on the Union ceme- tery. They were members of the Reformed church. Their children were: Annie M. (m. William Zellner) ; Charles P. (1855-1895, m. Emma Diehl) Tilghman (1860-1889) ; and Edward D.


Edward D. Transue, of Allentown, was born


January 11, 1863, in the First Ward, where he has always lived. He is a property owner. He follows silk-ribbon weaving since 1886. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose; and affiliated with the Democratic party, in whose welfare he takes great interest.


In 1903 he wedded Bertha Trexler, whose parents are Edwin and Carrie (Reimert) Trex- ler, of Allentown. They are members of the Zion's Reformed Church.


THOMAS HENRY TREVENA.


George and Gertrude Trevena, of England, had among others, a son, Thomas H.


Thomas Henry, son of George and Gertrude Trevena, was born in Devonshire, England, died September 8, 1884, and is buried at Beaver Meadow, Pennsylvania. He emigrated to the United States at the age of eighteen years. He was connected with mining operations in some form all his life, his death being caused by the pre- mature explosion of a blast which he was super-


intending. He was active in the silver mines of Mexico, the gold mines of Nevada, the gold mines of California, copper mines of Michigan, and the gold and silver mines of Vermont. He assisted in the construction work of the tunnel at West Point, New York, and was then for a time super- intendent of silver mines near Mexico City. Still later he was a contractor and had contracts for almost all the carpenter work for a Beaver Meadows plant. Mr. Trevena married Pru- dence. born at Breage, Cornwall, England, came co America at the age of sixteen years, a daugh- ter of John and Jane ( Rogers) Wear, and they had children: Harry, a boiler foreman with the American Steel and Wire Company, at Allen- town, married Bertha Pohl; John, a merchant, at Joliet, Illinois; Thomas Henry, of further mention ; George, in the livery business at Beaver Meadows, married Ida Lynn; Guy, a machinist with the American Steel and Wire Company, at Allentown.




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