Thomas Barber, the son of William Barber, was born in Bath, Northampton Co., in the year 1811. His trade was that of a millwright, at which he achieved great distinction in his early days, and was known far and wide as a skilled artisan His services were constantly in demand, and many of the mills in the eastern section of the State were erected under his immediate supervision. As early as 1844 he proceeded to Corno, Ill., and built one of the most extensive mills then in existence in that part of Illinois. He left Como for Dayton, a small town in another part of the State, and engaged in the milling business until the death of his first wife. Subsequently he removed to Allentown, and was prevented from going to Australia by his brother Stephen, who induced him to take an interest in the foundry and machine shop then owned by George Probst and others. He continued in this business until his death, having made his son, William H. Barber, a partner in the business, the firm being known as Barber & Son. Mr. Barber was also extensively known as an iron man, having been one of the originators of the Roberts, Lehigh, and Topton Furnaces, though at the time of his decease he was interested in the Lehigh only.

Mr. Barber was married on the 19th of June 1834, to Mary Ann, daughter of John Romig, Sr., of Allentown, and sister of Dr. John and the late William J. Romig. Their children were William H. and Joseph (of Allentown), Hannah (Mrs. Harry J. Smith, of New Haven, Conn.), and Mattie (of Genesee, Ill.). Mrs. Barber died Oct. 23 1852, and he was a second time married, on the 2d of February, 1854, to Mrs. Mary Eckert, daughter of Jacob and Mary Stein, of Allentown, who survives him. The death of Mr. Barber occurred on the 6th of August, 1879.