Bios: Martin Luther Thomas: Berwick, Columbia Co, PA

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MARTIN LUTHER THOMAS
>From Columbia and Montour Counties, PA
J.H. Beers & Co., 1915

Martin Luther THOMAS, a well known citizen of Berwick, who has been
identified with business interests there for a number of years, was born
May 16, 1879, in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., son of George and
Margaret (BOWER) THOMAS, and grandson of Henry and Margaret (RABERT)
THOMAS.  His grandfather was a cabinet-maker and farmer of Salem township.

George THOMAS was born in Salem township, Luzerne Co., Pa., July 17, 1834,
and after his school period was over learned the carpenter's trade.  During
his early manhood he carried on farming for his father in Salem township.
He gave liberally to the Lutheran Church, of which he and wife were
members.  She was the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (ERNST) BOWER, of
Nescopeck township.  They had children as follows:  Firman, who married May
SWANK; William, who married Nettie BELL and (second) Alice PARKER, both of
whom were buried in Steuben county, N.Y., and (third) Ada WILCOX; Charles
E., who married Lucy CROSSLEY; John W., who married Millie SEELEY; Jennie,
who died young; George W., who married Addie WESTOVER; Evan Tobias;
Benjamin, who married Emma STAUFFER; and Martin Luther.

Martin Luther THOMAS attended the Stone Church school in Salem township and
also, during the winters, the Beach Haven school, and later took a special
scientific course at Susquehanna University at Selinsgrove, Snyder Co., Pa.
 During the summers, from the time he was old enough to be of assistance,
he helped his father as a carpenter, until he became a clerk in the
department store of J.M. SCHAIN, at Berwick, at the time living at Beach
Haven.  In 1900 he left the mercantile house and came to Berwick, going to
work in the steel plant of the American Car and Foundry Company, under
Foreman T. R. BUCK and Superintendent John HEAVNER.  He also was employed
in the machine shop of the steel plant when J.R. SEARLES was
superintendent, and Fred STEPHENSON was his foreman.  Still later he worked
in the engine room of the steel plant and during the summer ran an
automobile for C.R. WOODIN, director of the company.  Step by step Mr.
THOMAS was advanced, and in 1907 he was placed in the coach department
under Superintendent L. E. HESS, the general foreman being Bruce
DIETTERICK.  There he continues, and for the last four years has had charge
of the specialty department of the coach department.  In great industrial
plant like this each man advances through merit, hard work accompanying
every step of the way.

Mr. THOMAS was married, May 18, 1904, to Sarah Caroline ANDRESS, who was
born Oct. 21, 1884, a daughter of Lewis and Margaret (HESS) ANDRESS, the
former a powder maker for the Du Pont Powder Company at Wapwallopen, Pa.
Mrs. THOMAS's grandfather, Peter ANDRESS, was a farmer in Conyngham
township, Luzerne county; his wife was a HOCH.  Mr. and Mrs. THOMAS have
three children:  Luther, born Oct 21, 1905; Kenneth, born July 29, 1907;
and Lenore, born Aug. 11, 1909.  Mrs. and Mrs. THOMAS belong to the Zwingli
German Reformed Church. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Berwick Lodge,
No. 246, and Berwick Encampment, No. 131, of which he is a past chief
patriarch.  In politics he thinks and votes independently.