BIO: Zachariah D. THOMAS, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ Z. D. THOMAS, of Aaronsburg, Centre county, is well known as a successful educator through twenty-two years of faithful and efficient service. Although he has recently retired from that profession, his work will not readily be forgotten by the many who have been helped by him in the steep and sometimes weary paths of knowledge. Prof. Thomas was born in Haines township, Centre county, April 26, 1851, and so far his life has been spent mainly in that locality. Jacob Thomas, his grandfather, was born December 9, 1767; confirmed April 12, 1795, by Rev. Lochman (Lutheran); married in 1797 to Christiana Ensminger, and died December 31, 1824. His wife Christiana was born about 1768, and died 1855 or '56; both are buried in the vicinity of Annville, Lebanon Co., Penn., where they resided. Jacob and Rebecca (Dutwiler) Thomas, parents of our subject, were both natives of Lebanon county, Penn. The father was born April 24, 1808, and received his early education in the German schools of that day, his knowledge of English being "picked up" incidentally. Being bereft of his father at the age of sixteen, he found himself obliged to assume the management of his mother's farm, which he continued until his marriage to Miss Dutwiler, who was born near Palmyra, September 14, 1811, daughter of John and Anna Mary (Williams) Dutwiler, who resided on a farm near Campbelltown, Lebanon Co., Penn., and are both buried at Campbelltown. Mrs. Thomas, who lost her father when she was fourteen years old, received fair educational advantages for that day, and was a woman of fine mental ability. For a time after their marriage they remained in Lebanon county, and one child was born there: Elizabeth, who married George Y. Stover, and died in Stover, South Dakota. In 1832, Jacob Thomas, of Annville township, Lebanon Co., Penn., in company with two other gentlemen, started to seek a place whereon to locate. Land in Lebanon county having advanced in price beyond his means of acquiring a farm (he having only limited means), and having in view the western part of Ohio, they traveled as far west as Dayton, but for some reason not finding a satisfactory place to locate. On their way home they came to Centre county, Penn., their first point of observation being Boalsburg; from there they came to Haines township and bought the farm upon which Mr. Thomas located. He had traveled the whole distance of 1,060 miles on horse-back, being gone about six weeks, and in April, 1833, Jacob Thomas and his wife settled upon this farm in Haines township, Centre county. There nine children were born to them, our subject being the youngest of the family. The others were John, now of Clinton county, Penn.; Christiana, who married George Hoover, and died in Shingletown, Penn.; Anna M., who resides in Aaronsburg; Rebecca, who married Jesse Snyder, and died near Penn Hall, Penn.; Jacob D., a resident of Illinois; Adam J., a carpenter at State College; Jeremiah, now of Illinois; and Aaron, a carpenter at Centre Hall. Jacob Thomas made farming his lifelong occupation. He was over six feet in height, and enjoyed excellent health, even his last ailment, rheumatism of the heart, afflicting him only a short time. He was very industrious, and while rearing a large family, managed to secure a fair competence. His death came just at the time when he was in a position to realize the benefits of his labors. While he was a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, he did not allow his partisan prejudice to blind him, and at times voted independently. Never a politician 288 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in the strict sense of the word, he yet took an active interest in local affairs and held the office of school director several times, as well as other township offices. He was also active in religious work as a member of the Reformed Church, holding various official positions. His death occurred at the old homestead March 29, 1864; his wife passed away January 7, 1884, and the remains of both are interred at Aaronsburg. As a boy the subject of this sketch found the outlook for an education most unpromising. The schools near the homestead were none of the best, but he made good use of the facilities which they offered. His first teacher was Thomas Erhart, and Mr. Thomas has had the satisfaction of presiding over the same school room in which he spent his first day as a pupil. He remained at home until his widowed mother removed to Aaronsburg and then as she, though in comfortable circumstances, was not able to spare the funds necessary to secure him better educational advantages, he determined to secure them himself. For several years he worked as a farm hand for leading agriculturists, his first employer being Clay Allison, of Nittany Valley, who paid him $8 per month. With the money thus earned he attended the academy at Aaronsburg, also the County Normal at Centre Hall, alternately working and studying. In his twentieth year, Mr. Thomas began his successful career as a teacher in the St. Paul district of Haines township, Centre county, and, with the exception of one term in Miles township, the entire twenty-two years of work were spent in the former locality, six successive years being passed at Aaronsburg. He was never content to merely "keep school," the responsibilities of his position as a guide to those entrusted to him were too keenly realized for that, and the incessant care incident to the work when conscientiously done caused him to retire in 1894 from the profession. A taste for carpentering seems to be hereditary in the family, and many of Mr. Thomas' vacations have been given to that work. One summer was spent in Effiingham county, Ill. He owns a house in Centre Hall, but since the death of his mother he has made his home in Aaronsburg, where he owns a residence and several lots. His success, won as it has been by his own efforts, is well deserved. Mr. Thomas is a Republican on national issues, but does not believe that party allegiance should extend to local affairs, and he has at times supported other candidates for township and county offices. He is no place seeker himself, but has held some minor positions. As a member of The Reformed Church, he contributes to the work of that society, and as a good citizen takes a loyal interest in all that tends to promote progress. 1860 Haines Township, Centre County census - Jacob Thomas, 50 Rebbecca [sic] Thomas, 45 Anna Mary Thomas, 22 Rebecca Thomas, 19 Jacob Thomas, 17 John A. Thomas, 15 Jeremiah Thomas, 14 Aaron Thomas, 11 Zacariah Thomas, 9