OBIT: Frank B. THOMAS, 1932, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2012.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
________________________________________________


FRANK B. THOMAS

Druggist Thomas' Suffering Ended
Popular Meyersdale Pharmacist Succumbs to Cancer After Long Illness

  Death has exacted a heavy toll from the business and social life of Meyersdale 
during the last twelve months, the latest victim being Frank B. Thomas, leading 
druggist of this city for many years, who succumbed to cancer at 3:30 o'clock 
Tuesday afternoon, April 12, after six months' intense suffering.
  Lameness of the hip compelled Mr. Thomas to give up his work six months ago. 
At that time the nature of his malady was not known and cancer was not 
suspected.  The hip trouble came upon him gradually and he supposed it was due 
to an impared nerve.  The latter part of January he entered a Pittsburgh 
Hospital for observation and treatment by specialists.  A minor operation was 
performed which gave him slight temporary relief, and he returned home after a 
few weeks in the hospital, but was never able to walk again without crutches.
  The medical staff of the hospital discovered the true nature of his malady and 
informed his family that it was incurable but the information was withheld from 
him as it was feared that the knowledge of it would give him mental as well as 
physical suffering.  He bore his affliction heroically and did not give up hope 
of recovery until near the end.
  Frank B. Thomas was born in Alliance, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1875, a son of Joseph G. 
and Ellen (Dull) Thomas, the former a native of Westmoreland County and the 
latter of Bedford County, Pa.  The family removed to Johnstown, Pa., when Frank 
was only two years old.  He grew up in that city, where he attended the public 
schools and at the age of 12 years went to work in Kirk Campbell's Drug Store 
where he began his studies to become a pharmacist.  His father was a Civil War 
veteran, member of the 54th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and for 
many years a prominent and highly respected citizen of Johnstown, having been 
City Comptroller for some time and held various other positions of honor and 
trust.
  From his parents Frank B. Thomas inherited the virtues of industry, integrity 
and stability of character which made him a successful businessman.  At the age 
of 16 or 17 he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy where he studied for 
one year, then went to Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, from which he was 
graduated as a pharmacist in 1895, at the age of 20.  The following year he 
successfully passed the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy examination and was 
licensed to practice his profession.
  In March, 1896, he came to Meyersdale and purchased the Kilgus Drug Store 
located in the building on Center Street now occupied by the Meyers Market.  
Being established in business before he was quite 21 years of age, his next step 
was to get married and get settled permanently as a family man.  While attending 
college in Ada, Ohio, he became acquainted with Miss Clair Etta Poling, an 
estimable young lady of that city, whom he married on May 12, 1896, and brought 
to Meyersdale as a bride.  Young Mr. and Mrs. Thomas soon attained prominence in 
the social life of Meyersdale and so continued during their long and happy 
married life.
  Mr. Thomas also proved himself to be a wideawake and progressive businessman.  
His business flourished from the start and in the course of time became very 
prosperous.  He continued the Kilgus store at the location where he took it over 
and changed the name to Thomas Drug Store, until 1907 when he purchased and 
moved into a two-story brick building at the northeast corner of Center and Clay 
streets, which he afterwards enlarged to meet the growing demands of his 
business, by adding a third story and building an addition to the rear of the 
first story.  Here he continued to serve his many customers personally and with 
the assistance of his sons, Frank B., Jr., and Joseph N., both registered 
pharmacists, and his brother-in-law, Karl Poling, until he became physically 
disabled by his insidious malady six months ago.
  Mr. Thomas had a friendly and sympathetic disposition and was quick to respond 
to any cry of distress.  He was kind and generous to the unfortunate, and helped 
many a one in need who had no claim upon him.  He was intensely interested in 
the welfare and prosperity of the town and community in which he made his home 
and did business in, and was always ready to take off his coat and put his 
shoulder to the wheel to promote any enterprise for the benefit of the 
community.  He was one of the organizers and promoters of the Meyersdale Fair in 
its early stages, and one of its best boosters for many years.  He served as a 
member of the Town Council for some years.  He was a member of the Lutheran 
Church and of Meyersdale Lodge, F. & A.M.; Hebron Chapter, R.A.M.; Jaffa Temple 
of the Mystic Shrine, and Oriental Commandery, Knights Templar.
  Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas - John Karlton, who died in 
1929; Anna Thelma who passed away in 1922, and Frank B. and Joseph N., who 
survive and are both capable young businessmen, both having followed his example 
in becoming graduated pharmacists at an early age and having been associated 
with him in business since they returned from college.
  Besides his wife and two sons and one grandson, Frank III, son of Frank, Jr., 
Mr. Thomas is also survived by one brother, George Thomas, a druggist in 
Lancaster, Pa., and two sisters, Mrs. Clara Anders of Anderson, Ind., and Mrs. 
Henry Kahl, of Johnstown.
  Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home, 
in charge of Rev. H. K. Hilner, pastor of the Meyersdale Lutheran Church.  
Interment will be in the Union Cemetery.  Oriental Commandery No. 61, Knights 
Templar, will have charge of the services at the grave.  All Meyersdale business 
houses will be closed while the funeral is in progress.

Meyersdale Republican, April 14, 1932