THE ALLENTOWN MORNING CALL

ALLENTOWN, PA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 19, 1906

 

 


 

JAMES THOMAS PASSED AWAY

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WELL  KNOWN   IRON MASTER  DIED AT CATASAUQUA

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PROMINENT IN BUSINESS

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Was President of the Davies & Thomas Company and Wahnetah Silk Co, and a Director of the Catasauqua National Bank

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James Thomas, one of Catasauqua's most prominent citizens and ironmen and president of the Davies, Thomas Co., died at 3 o'clock yesterday morning at his home following an illness with stomach disorders. His parents were Hopkin and Catharine (Richards) Thomas, who were of an old and honorable Welsh ancestry. His father was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales in 1793. He learned the trade of machinist in the Neath Abby Works, the largest iron industry in the country, and came to America in 1834. He entered the  employ of the Baldwin Locomotive Works and subsequently became master mechanic of the roads and mines of the Beaver Meadow Iron Co. It was through one of his inventions that anthracite coal was first used as a fuel for locomotives. A type  of coalbreaker in use today was also invented by him.  In 1853 he moved to Catasauqua and until his death in 1873 filled the position of master mechanic the Crane Iron Works. 

 

James Thomas came to Catasauqua with his parents in 1853.  In 1858 he went to Parryvllle to take the superintendency of the Carbon Iron Works. Leaving there In 1871 he went to Jefferson county Alabama, and while  there held the position of general manager of the Irondale and Eureka Iron Companies. He held the distinction of having made the first coke in Alabama.. In 1879 he returned to Catasauqua and formed a partnership with George Davies under the firm name of Davies & Thomas. This company was the outgrowth of a small concern which was established in 1865 by Daniel Davies.  Shortly after its establishment a co-partnership was formed with Wm. Thomas  and in 1867 the interest of the latter was purchased by George Davies, a son of Daniel Davies. They organized under the firm name of Daniel Davies & Son, this firm having been in existence until the death Daniel Davies and James Thomas connected their interests under the management as given above which continued in existence until the death of George Davies in 1894. The following year the heirs of George Davies and the surviving member, James Thomas formed the Davies, Thomas Company. The firm manufactures castings for many important enterprises including the underground electric railway in Washington D. C., the Broadway Cable in New York, the East River tunnel and the Traction and Peoples Cable lines in Baltimore. They also manufacture car castings and are the designers of the Davies & Thomas engine. The plant is classed with  the largest in the country conducting general foundry and machine work.

 

Mr. Thomas was prominently identified with every enterprise calculated to promote the prosperity of Catasauqua.. He was president of the Wahnetah Silk Company and a director of the Catasauqua National Bank. Through his efforts the borough secured the establishment of an electric light plant and he at one time was the president of the Bethlehem Electric Light and Power Company.  He was a member or Grace M. E, Church, Porter Lodge, F. & A M., Catasauqua Chapter,  and Allen Commandery, No. 20, Knights Templar. He was a Republican in politics and among the honors given him by his party was an appointment as delegate to the national convention held in Minneapolis in 1892. He took a keen interest in educational affairs and served for several years on the school board.

 

 Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs.. Charles R. Horn, New York, Mrs. W. W. McKee; Mrs. J. L. Hornbeck,  Roland D. Thomas and Hopkin Thomas. Seven grandchildren and a brother, William R Thomas. and two sisters, Mrs. John Thomas, wife of the late superintendent of the Thomas Iron Works, Hokendauqua  and  Mrs. James  W.  Fuller, Sr.  of Catasauqua, also survive

 

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