OBIT:  THOMAS, James J.; Carroll Township, Cambria Cnty., PA; 1911

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Cambria Freeman
Ebensburg, Pa.
Friday, 3 Feb 1911
Volume 45, Number 5


James J. Thomas is Called by Dark Angel 

The Hon. J. J. Thomas of Carroll Township, known as the father of the 
Grange in Cambria County and a man who spent his life time in aiding the 
unfortunates, died early Wednesday morning at his home, following an 
attack of apoplexy.  The funeral was held this morning from St. Benedict's 
Church at Carrolltown, with interment in the church cemetery.

James J. Thomas was born in Munster Township in 1838 and was therefore in 
his 73rd year.  In 1867 he married Miss Matilda Glosser and six children 
were born to them, two of these having died.  The surviving children are: 
John, who lived with his father; Sister Patricia of Pittsburg; Annie and 
Emma, at home.  Dr. Sam Thomas, one of the children, died in the fall of 
1908.  One brother and six sisters of Mr. Thomas survive as follows: 
Michael, who lives near Kaylor; Bridget; Ann; Mary and Susan.  Another 
sister, Mrs. Sarah Weakland, lives in Meyersdale, Pa.

Mr. Thomas was a lifelong Democrat and for two terms was a member of the 
state legislature, in 1877-1878 and 1893-1894.  He was also an internal 
revenue collector during the term of President Cleveland, being stationed 
at Carrolltown and in Huntingdon County.  For 33 terms Mr. Thomas was a 
school teacher and there is an organization in the north of Cambria County 
composed of his former pupils and known as the J. J. Thomas Society.  The 
whole life of the deceased was spent in caring for unfortunates as best he 
could.  He was particularly fond of aiding young folks deserving of his 
assistance.  As stated he was instrumental in organizing the Grange in 
Cambria County and always took great interest in the organization.

Tuesday evening Mr. Thomas was chopping wood about six o'clock at his 
home, half way between Patton and Carrolltown when he was taken ill.  He 
was carried into the house, where he was seized with an attack of apoplexy 
from which he died early Wednesday morning.  Mr. Thomas had not been in 
the best of health for some months.

Mr. Thomas' widow survives him and she is bearing up very well under the 
shock.