THOMAS J. ROTH son of William and Catharine (Straub) Roth, was born April 1, 1874. He was educated in the public schools of Allentown and the American Business College. At the age of sixteen years he became an apprentice to the trade of woodturning following this vocation until 18991 when he entered the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad as a freight brakeman, becoming later, a freight conductor. He was subsequently promoted to the passenger service, as trainman and baggage master. He remained with the company for over six years. In 1905 he resumed his trade of wood turning, which he has since followed. Mr. Roth resides in Allentown and is one of the nine school directors which comprise the board of education. He is deeply interested in educational mailers in general and especially of his city. In 1911 he was elected to the school board for a term of four years, by the largest vote accorded to any candidate of the group at the primary and general election. In February 1905, he was elected from the Second ward as a school director; three years later he was re-elected; in 1909 he was elected to the board of control. He was secretary of the school board of his section for five years. He was the fast chairman of the local grievance committee for the P. & R. R. R., and has been president of Just-in-Time Lodge. No. 346, Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, since 1908 Mr. Roth is actively identified with Democratic politics and is a well read and well posted man on current events. He married, Sept. 25, 1908, Ida S. A. Kern, daughter of Owen and Lydia (Zerfass) Kern, of Slatington, Pa.