Person Sheet
NameDavid Thomas
Birth3 Nov 1794, Tyllwyd Farm, Cadoxton, Wales
Death20 Jun 1882, Catasauqua, PA
FatherDavid Thomas Sr. (->1840)
MotherJane Williams (~1763-1847)
Misc. Notes
David Thomas, the founder of one of the Thomas Families in Pennsylvania, was born in the parish of Neath, County of Glamorgan, South Wales, Nov. 3, 1794. He was the son of David and Jane Thomas.
Young David's religion and moral training was of the strictest kind. Being the only son his parents afforded him the best education their means would allow. He soon outstripped all his schoolmates, owing to his industry and perseverance. He was of very studious habits and his thirst for knowledge had created an ambition, which farming operations failed to satisfy.
At the age of 17 years, he entered the employ of the Neath Abbey, from Works. For five years, he worked in the fitting shops, and at the blast furnaces and so well did he master the business that in 1817 he was made general superintendent of the blast furnaces and the iron and coal mines of the Yniscedwyn Iron Works in the Swansea Valley.
Mr. Thomas remained in that position for almost 22 years, working his furnaces successfully, meanwhile constantly experimenting with anthracite coal as a smelting fuel. He ultimately succeeded by means of introducing a hot blast into the furnace.
In 1839 he was offered an engagement for five years in the United States, which he accepted, and soon after his arrival the Crane Iron Company of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania was organized, a furnace was constructed and successfully managed under the supervision of Mr. Thomas. To his is justly due the credit of having built the first anthracite blast furnace.
In 1854 the Thomas Iron Company was formed and the substantial works at Hokendauqua commenced. In 1855 he relinquished the superintendence of the Crane Iron Works and devoted a portion of his time to the development of the work at Hokendauqua, which bears his honored name.
Mr. Thomas was also a stockholder in the Carbon Iron Company, and the rolling mills at Catasauqua and Ferndale, of which hew as president many years. He was for many years president of the Catasauqua and Fogelsville Railroad and a director of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and also a director of the National Bank of Catasauqua. He was a man of Uncommon activity and vitality.
In religion, he was a Presbyterian , and no sooner had he become settled in his new home in 1839, than he erected a small chapel which was followed by the organization of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was made ruling elder, which office he held until his death.
During the Civil War his influence and means were devoted to the Union Cause. At the time of his death he was the oldest American Iron Master in length of service, and was regarded as a leading authority on all matters pertaining to the trade. He contributed greatly to the building up of the iron industries of the country, and his name will be held in grateful remembrance by American Iron manufacturers.
Among the people of the Lehigh Valley, he left a notable reputation. Of him it may be truly said, he went down to the grave, "full of riches", full of honor and full of years."
He died June 20, 1882, in the 88th year of his age.
He married Miss Elizabeth Hopkins, daughter of John Hopkins, born Sept. 26, 1794, at Gilvendre, South Wales, England. She died at Catasauqua, July 9, 1888. Issue: Jane, born May 1, 1820; Gwenny, born Feb. 27, 1824 and Samuel, John and David.
Gwenny married Joshua Hunt. Issue: Thomas, Samuel, John, David, Roger, William, Lizzie married to Hopewell Hepburn; and Gwenny, married to William Vollmer.
Young David's religion and moral training was of the strictest kind. Being the only son his parents afforded him the best education their means would allow. He soon outstripped all his schoolmates, owing to his industry and perseverance. He was of very studious habits and his thirst for knowledge had created an ambition, which farming operations failed to satisfy.
At the age of 17 years, he entered the employ of the Neath Abbey, from Works. For five years, he worked in the fitting shops, and at the blast furnaces and so well did he master the business that in 1817 he was made general superintendent of the blast furnaces and the iron and coal mines of the Yniscedwyn Iron Works in the Swansea Valley.
Mr. Thomas remained in that position for almost 22 years, working his furnaces successfully, meanwhile constantly experimenting with anthracite coal as a smelting fuel. He ultimately succeeded by means of introducing a hot blast into the furnace.
In 1839 he was offered an engagement for five years in the United States, which he accepted, and soon after his arrival the Crane Iron Company of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania was organized, a furnace was constructed and successfully managed under the supervision of Mr. Thomas. To his is justly due the credit of having built the first anthracite blast furnace.
In 1854 the Thomas Iron Company was formed and the substantial works at Hokendauqua commenced. In 1855 he relinquished the superintendence of the Crane Iron Works and devoted a portion of his time to the development of the work at Hokendauqua, which bears his honored name.
Mr. Thomas was also a stockholder in the Carbon Iron Company, and the rolling mills at Catasauqua and Ferndale, of which hew as president many years. He was for many years president of the Catasauqua and Fogelsville Railroad and a director of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and also a director of the National Bank of Catasauqua. He was a man of Uncommon activity and vitality.
In religion, he was a Presbyterian , and no sooner had he become settled in his new home in 1839, than he erected a small chapel which was followed by the organization of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was made ruling elder, which office he held until his death.
During the Civil War his influence and means were devoted to the Union Cause. At the time of his death he was the oldest American Iron Master in length of service, and was regarded as a leading authority on all matters pertaining to the trade. He contributed greatly to the building up of the iron industries of the country, and his name will be held in grateful remembrance by American Iron manufacturers.
Among the people of the Lehigh Valley, he left a notable reputation. Of him it may be truly said, he went down to the grave, "full of riches", full of honor and full of years."
He died June 20, 1882, in the 88th year of his age.
He married Miss Elizabeth Hopkins, daughter of John Hopkins, born Sept. 26, 1794, at Gilvendre, South Wales, England. She died at Catasauqua, July 9, 1888. Issue: Jane, born May 1, 1820; Gwenny, born Feb. 27, 1824 and Samuel, John and David.
Gwenny married Joshua Hunt. Issue: Thomas, Samuel, John, David, Roger, William, Lizzie married to Hopewell Hepburn; and Gwenny, married to William Vollmer.
