Husband William Thomas 1
Born: 21 Jan 1827 - North East, Erie Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died: 31 Dec 1912 - Clifton Heights, Delaware Co, PA 2
Buried:
Father: Jesse Thomas (Abt 1790- ) 1
Mother: Mary McCormick ( - ) 1
Marriage: 1906 2
Other Spouse: Angeline Church ( -1885) 2 - 1850 2
Other Spouse: Sarah Pendergast ( -1902) 2 - 1896 2
Wife Martha M. Cooper 2
Born: 5 Jan 1848 - Clarion, Clarion Co, PA 3
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Robert W. Cooper (1805-1850) 4
Mother: Esther Louise Ray (1813-1884) 4
Children
General Notes: Husband - William Thomas
He was born at North East, Erie County, Pennsylvania, and in his youth spent some time in Springfield, in the same state, and in the western part of Crawford County. When about twenty years old he began to learn the carpenter's trade which he followed for a number of years. His inclinations, however, were for a wider field and his talents fitted him to enter it. Accordingly, in 1863, in partnership with W. D. Sackett, he established a planing mill and lumber yard which he conducted successfully for many years, having associated with him at different periods Samuel Gibson and Walter S. Harper. The plant later became the Walter G. Harper Lumber Company. After disposing of his interests in the lumber business to his partner, Mr. Harper, Mr. Thomas, in association with A. L. Phillips, purchased the water power and flour mill at Kennedy, New York. The enterprise prospered and he became, upon the death of Mr. Phillips, sole proprietor, and with the assistance of his son, Clarence F. Thomas, largely increased the business. Upon the retirement of the late Joseph H. Lenhart as cashier of the People's Savings Bank Mr. Thomas was elected as his successor, and continued to fill the position until the bank was merged into the New First National Bank. During this period he proved that his efficiency as a financier equalled that which he had displayed as a business man.
As a loyal citizen Mr. Thomas had ever at heart the promotion of the best interests of Meadville and to any movement having this for its object he never failed to lend his influence and support. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and for a number of years served as a member of the city councils and school board. At the time of his death he had been for a long period a member of the board of trustees of Allegheny College, and upon the organization of Chautauqua Assembly he was made one of the trustees of that body, a position which he retained until three years prior to his death, when he declined a re-election. He was then chosen an honorary trustee and served as such to the close of his life. From his youth up he was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at the time of his death had served for many years as one of the trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Meadville.
General Notes: Wife - Martha M. Cooper
She received her education in the high schools of Cochranton and Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1850 she came to the latter city and for a period of over twenty-five years taught in the public schools, beginning at the age of sixteen. She also served for about five years on the editorial staff of the Chautauqua Magazine. She belonged to the English Literature and Woman's Literary Clubs of Meadville, and was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of that city.