Thomas Franklin Butz was a student in the public schools of his native county in his boyhood days, and assisted his father upon the old homestead until he had become familiar with farm work in every department. Subsequently, he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Whitehall Township, which he operated continuously until 1887, when he took up his abode in the leading residence district of Allentown. He has since been identified with many of the more important business enterprises of that city, and was the president of the Allentown Paving and Construction Company for three years. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion, and his sound judgment and active co-operation have proved valuable factors in the successful control of different business interests. He was for one year the treasurer of the Agricultural Society, and since 1888 has served continuously as a member of the board of trustees of the Allentown College for Women. His political allegiance is given to the Republican Party, and he and his family are members of the Reformed church.