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 moulding 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 employment to five hundred men. He was succeeded as president by Leonard Peckitt in 1911

Mr. Thomas is a Republican in politics, and in 1911, 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 building 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 Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. at Reading, Pa.

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


Hopkin Thomas, the general manager of the Davies & Thomas Co., at Catasauqua, Paa. Is one of the enterprising business men of that borough, in which he received his intellectual 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.

Resided at 234 Pine St.

Obituary:
Rowland D. Thomas

Rowland D. Thomas, for many years an executive with the Davis Thomas Company. Catasauqua, of which his father, James, was a founder, died last night at his home, 234 Pine St., in the Iron Borough. He was in his 83rd year.

Thomas had not been active at the plant for many years due to illness. However, he was not confined to his home until, recently, when he became bedfast.

A native of Parryvi1Ie, he was a son of the late James and Mary Ann (Davies) Thomas. He was only a boy when the family took residence in Catasauqua.

The Davies - Thomas Company operated for more than a half century in Catasauqua; discontinuing as a firm during the early years War II. The company was nationally known for its tunnel and tube work. Among other projects. it supplied the iron tubing for the Holland Tunnel in New York and the Senate underground railroad in Washington.

During this span Thomas served the company for 30 years. He succeeded his father as president of the concern in 1906, and continued in that position until 1911 when Leonard Peckitt took over. Thomas continued as a member of, the board of directors

Civic, Church Worker

He was active in civic and church work in the community. He held membership in Grace Methodist Church, where he served on the board of trustees for many years. He was a lay member to the annual Methodist Conference, which he attended regularly

He was a past master of Porter Lodge, F. arid A. M., and a past high priest of Catasauqua’s Royal Arch Chapter.

For many year's he was a menber her of the borough's board of health. He was president of that body for several terms. He alsoL served on the Catasauqua School Board.

Surviving, besides Mrs. Thomas, are three sisters: Blanche, widow of Charles 11. Horn; Ruth, widow of W. W. McKee, and Nellie, widow of Dr. James L. Hornbeck, all of Catasauqua. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Hopkin, and two sisters, Mame and Catherine.