John Thomas, son of David and Elizabeth Thomas, was born at Yniscedwyn, Wales, September 10, 1829. When a lad of ten years old, 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, Northampton County, where he completed his studies. He then determined to secure a practical knowledge of the business of an iron-master, so entering the shops of 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 most liberal supporter.

He married May 7, 1855, Miss Helen Thomas, daughter of Hopkin and Catherine (Richards)Thomas, native of Glamorganshire, South Wales, who emigrated to America in 1834. Issue: David H., Blanche, Harry, Miriam, Bessie H., Samuel R., Catharine V., John W. and Helen, who died in infancy.

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


JOHN THOMAS, deceased, of Hokendauqua was for many years a prominent representative of the iron industry in the Lehigh Valley. John Thomas, who was born at Yniscedwin, South Wales, on the 10th of September 1829, and was therefore a lad of ten years when brought by his parents to the United States. The family home was maintained in Allentown for a short time, but the parents soon afterward removed to Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, where he spent his youth. He was educated in Allentown, and subsequently became a pupil at Nazareth Hall in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, where he perfected himself in various branches of English learning, and the knowledge thus acquired fitted him for a life of future usefulness. Having completed his studies he determined to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business of an iron master, and with that end in view entered the blacksmith shops of the Crane Iron Works. Having mastered this part of the business, he next entered the machine shop, and also worked in the furnaces, thus gaining a thorough and practical knowledge of the industry in every department, becoming qualified for the direction of the company's extensive business. On the retirement of his father, David Thomas, he succeeded him to the superintendency of the entire plant. This position he held and filled with ability until 1867, and his efforts there were so capably directed that almost phenomenal success attended the enterprise. In the year mentioned he resigned to accept the general superintendency of the Thomas Iron Works at Hokendauqua. Expressions of deep regret were heard when he left the Crane Iron Works, for he not only had the full confidence of the company, but also the unqualified respect and good will of the employees, because of his business ability, his social manner and his consideration for those who worked under him. Under the management of Mr. Thomas two new furnaces were built by the Thomas Iron Company, and a high degree of prosperity attended this great productive industry. He continued in the superintendency until his death, which occurred March 18, 1897. Mr. Thomas was also largely identified with other enterprises and business interests of his locality. He was a director of the Catasauqua & Foglesville Railroad, was president of the Catasauqua Manufacturing Company, and a director of the Upper Lehigh Coal Company. The social and moral influence of his presence and that of his family also had a salutary effect n the moral atmosphere of Hokendauqua, and he left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of public progress and improvement there. For a number of years he served as one of the school directors of his borough. In politics lie took an active interest, especially as the promoter of local advancement in behalf of the Republican Party, but he sought or desired no political preferment for himself. In religious faith lie was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, and contributed most liberally to its support. His wife and children are also identified with that church.

Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Helen Thomas, - a daughter of Hopkin Thomas, of Catasauqua, May 7, 1855. Hopkin Thomas born at Glamorganshire, South Wales, in 1793, and died May 12, 1878. In his native country he was united in marriage to Mss Catherine Richards, who was born at Merthyr-Tydvil, South Wales. They emigrated to America in I834 and Hopkin Thomas was for many years a master mechanic at the Crane Iron Works. He possessed an intimate knowledge of the business and a broad experience that well qualified him for the important position he occupied. As a citizen he exerted strong influence in behalf of public improvement, and he was both an honorable and honored man.

Source of the following: Transactions Of The American Institute Of Mining Engineers. Vol. Xxviii. February, 1898. To October, 1898. Inclusive. New York City: Published By The Institute.
John Thomas, by whose death the Lehigh valley loses one of its most conspicuous captains of industry, was born at Yniscedwin, South Wales, September 10, 1829, and was a son of the late David and Elizabeth Thomas. When Mr. Thomas was a mere lad his parents decided to make their home in America, and on June 5, 1839, the family landed in New York. They at once located in Pennsylvania, and lived for a brief period in Allentown. Then they moved to Catasauqua, where Mr. Thomas spent his youth. He started in his career by entering the blacksmith shop of the Crane Iron Works, Catasauqua, as an apprentice. Later he worked in the machine-shops and at the furnaces. In the meantime his father had become superintendent of the Crane Iron Works ; and upon his retirement he was succeeded by his son, John. Mr. Thomas filled the position with marked ability and success until 1867, when he resigned to accept the general superintendency of the Thomas Iron Company's works at Hokendauqua. Under Mr. Thomas's management the facilities of the works were almost doubled, and the product of the furnaces became known throughout the United States, and ever since the Thomas Iron Company has been a household word in the iron-trade. Advancing years and failing health compelled Mr. Thomas, in 1893, to relinquish the active management of the works, and he gave way to his son, David H. Thomas, who has been in charge ever since. Mr. Thomas was also largely identified with other business interests, as director of the Catasauqua and Fogelsville railroad, Catasauqua National Bank, Ironton Railroad Company, Morea Coal Company, Upper Lehigh Coal Company and the Pioneer Manufacturing Company of Thomas, Ala. After the passage of a resolution instructing the Secretary to express by letter to the persons and corporations concerned the thanks of the Institute for courtesies received, the President declared the session and the meeting adjourned.