Samuel R. Thomas, vice-president and former superintendent of the Ironton Railroad, residing 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 Plytechnic Institute of Troy, New York, in 1891. He then entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company at Hokendauqua, and has remained continuously with this corporation up the present time, having served it in various capacities. He is the efficient superintendent of the Ironton Railroad 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 members of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as a member of the trustee board for a number of years.

On October 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 were born an only daughter, Miriam Thomas, who was educated in the Moravian Parachial School at Bethlehem 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 member of the firm of the Danville Structural Tubing Works.

In their later years, Samuel P. and Bessie Thomas resided at 128 N. 15th Street, Allentown, and on May 19, 1947 he passed away in the Sacred Heart Hospital and his remains were entombed in the Thomas mausoleum at Fairview Cemetery. Bessie (Laury) Thomas departed this life on April 22, 1948 and her remains were also deposited in the Thomas vault.