Thomas J. Fretz was born at Fullerton, Aug. 1865, and was educated in the public schools. He entered the Lehigh Valley Railroad service on March 17, 1882, as telegraph operator at Fullerton. He became way bill clerk at Allentown, Oct. 1, 1886; chief clerk, Jan. 1, 1890; assistant freight and passenger agent at Allentown, Sept. 1, 1893; freight and passenger agent, Nov. 10, 1895; division freight agent at South Bethlehem, May 15, 1905; and on Dec. 1, 1906, became general freight and passenger agent of the Lehigh & New England Railroad, at South Bethlehem, which position he still fills. He is a member and P. M. of Porter Lodge, No. 284, F. & A. M.; P. H. P. of Allen R. A. Chapter, No. 203; P. T. I. M., of Allen Council, No. 23; R. & S. M.; P. C., of Allen Commandery, No. 20, K. T.; and of Caldwell Consistory, A. A. S. R. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania German Society, Pennsylvania Society of New York, American Academy of Political and Social Science, Traffic Club, of New York, and the Bethlehem Club. He married, Oct. 29, 1887, Mary Rueter and has one daughter, Bessie R., married to Tilghman H. Moyer, and who has a son, Thomas F. Moyer.