BIOGRAPHY: Robert R. THOMAS, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 142-3
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ROBERT R. THOMAS, now actively and extensively engaged in the lumber and granite 
business in Johnstown, is a son of Richard J. and Mary (Owens) Thomas, and was 
born near Ebensburg, in Cambria township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October 
16, 1851.
     Richard J. Thomas was a son of Robert Thomas, a native and life-long 
resident of Wales, where his family had honorable standing, and honorable 
mention for centuries in local Welsh annals.
     Richard J. Thomas was born June 6, 1827, received a good common English 
education, and in 1849 came to Cambria county, where he settled in Cambria 
township, and has followed farming ever since. After coming to this country, Mr. 
Thomas made a study of political questions, and on the organization of the 
Republican party joined its ranks, and through disaster and victory alike, has 
supported its measures in every campaign. Although active 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   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.