A. J. THOMAS, one of the best-known and most enterprising native-born farmer citizens of North Strabane township, first opened his eyes to the wonders of the world April 21, 1851. Edward Thomas, grandfather of A. J., is the first of the family in this county of whom there is any data. He was a native of eastern Pennsylvania, whence, when a young man, he came hither and made a settlement in North Strabane township, where he carried on farming to the end of his busy life, becoming one of the leading citizens, ever in the van of all progressive movements. He was here married to Rhoda, daughter of David Leonard, of Washington county, who resided near the village of Bentleyville, and the children born to them were Sarah, Mary, Ann, (still living at ninety-two years), Rebecca, Phoebe, Liverton, Lydia, Rhoda and Nancy. Rebecca was blind from the age of seventeen years to her death in her seventieth year. Mr. Thomas early united with the Presbyterian Church, in after life becoming a trustee, serving for many years, and an elder. Politically he was a zealous Democrat.
Liverton Thomas, father of our subject, was born in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., May 12, 1808, and his education was received at the schools of his district, which he enhanced by much after study. In 1834, he was married, in Ohio, to Miss Mary A. Glandon, who was born in Maryland October 2, 1813 (a daughter of William and Mary M. Glandon), who moved with her parents to Harrison county, Ohio; the results of this union were nine children, eight of whom are yet living, viz.: Edmond, in Saline county, Neb.; William, a farmer in Chase county, Neb.; James M., a merchant in Nottingham township; Rhoda L., wife of John Hodgens, of Des Moines county, Iowa; G. L., a physician in Philadelphia, Penn.; Belle M., wife of James C. Matthews, a farmer and undertaker in North Strabane township; A. J., on the old home farm, and Ida M., wife of William Kettle, of Rush county, Kans.; (Caleb F. died in infancy). The mother died December 10, 1873 and the father then went to live with his daughter, Mrs. John Hodgens, in Des Moines county Iowa, where he now is. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he has always been a liberal supporter, was the donator of the land on which the Fairview church now stands, and materially contributed toward its erection. Politically he is a lifelong Democrat, and has been in his day a hard worker for the party's interests.
The boyhood and youth of A. J. Thomas were spent on the homestead where he was born, attending during the winter months the common schools of his district, the remainder of the year being reserved for hard out-of-door work on the farm. In 1873 he was married to Jennie M., daughter of Andrew Couch, of Nottingham township, and four children have come to brighten their domestic hearth: Alma (died at eleven months), Errol M. (died at eleven years and two months), Wallace C., and Josie A. (died at two years and three months). Their mother dying (January 5, 1880), Mr. Thomas wedded, November 10, 1890, Rilla C., daughter of Andrew Crawford, of Peters township. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Mount Prospect, of which Mr. Thomas is trustee. Politically he was born a Democrat, has lived a Democrat, and expects to die one; he has repeatedly been urged to accept office, but has, on account of his many home duties and responsibilities, invariably declined the proffered honor. Soon after his marriage Mr. Thomas purchased a portion of the home place, on which he has continued to reside. He is a successful farmer and stock raiser, and is respected in the community as an upright, progressive and loyal citizen.
Text taken from page 1026 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]