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| OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | 143 |
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tive and interested in politics, yet he has taken a deeper interest and a more active part in the cause of popular education, serving his township frequently as a school-director, and in various ways promoting the improvement and well-being of the public schools. He is a close and observant reader, and, besides acquiring quite liberal self-education, has made himself well-informed upon all questions of public importance or general interest. Not only philanthropic, but practically patriotic, Mr. Thomas, in 1864, enlisted in company G, 192d regiment Pennsylvania infantry, and served until the curtain fell upon the last act of the great drama of civil war at Appomattox. He married Margaret Owens, a daughter of Joseph Owens, who lived and died in his native land of Wales. To their union were born a family of six children, three of whom died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity and are living are: Robert R., Joseph O., a resident and farmer of Cambria township; and Jane, wife of John E. Jones, who is engaged in farming in Cambria township. Robert R. Thomas received his elementary education in the common-schools of his native township, and then entered the Millersville State Normal school, from which well-known institution he was graduated in the class of 1877. At eighteen years of age, he commenced teaching, which he followed consecutively and successfully for eleven years, excepting two years spent at the normal. At the end of that time, in 1883, a good business opportunity presenting itself, Mr. Thomas retired from teaching and formed a partnership with John W. Walters, of Johnstown. They engaged in the timber business, and continued in partnership until January 1, 1896, when he sold his interest to Mr. Walters, and branched out for |
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himself. His new office and lumber yards are on Center street, adjoining the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot, and his large stock is constantly recruited from the leading lumber markets of the country from Florida to Washington. In addition to overseeing his extensive lumbering business, he is a member and the general manager of the Bronlas Quarry company, whose quarries of Ligonier granite are situated in West Taylor township about four miles down the Little Conemaugh from Johnstown. Mr. Thomas is a member of the First Congregationalist church of Johnstown. In politics he has always supported the Republican party, and served from the First ward for four years as a member of the Select Council of Johnstown. On February 22, 1882, Mr. Thomas married Elizabeth Jane Davis, a daughter of Evan and Rachel Davis, of Cambria township, who died April 27, 1886. They had two children: Eldora May and Mabel Ann, both dead, Mabel Ann being lost in the Great Flood, in which Mr. Thomas was barely able, and then by a mere accident, to save his wife from a watery grave, in doing which he nearly lost his own life. On February 24, 1887, Mr. Thomas wedded Mrs. Mary Roberts, a daughter of Humphrey and Elizabeth Jones, of Wales, and their union has been blessed with one child, a daughter, named Elizabeth.
DAVID W. COULTER, the present popular and efficient sheriff of Cambria county, Pennsylvania, is a son of William and Mary (Walters) Coulter, and was born in Johnstown this county, May 10, 1841. |
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