HISTORIC HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS

AND

GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS

OF

THE LEHIGH VALLEY

PENNSYLVANIA

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UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF

JOHN W. JORDAN, LL. D.

OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA

AND

EDGAR MOORE GREEN, A.M, M.D.

OF EASTON, PA.

GEORGE T. ETTINGER, PH.D.

OF MUHLENBERG COLLEGE, ALLENTOWN, PA.

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Knowledge of kindred and the genealogies of the ancient families deserveth the highest praise. Herein, consisteth a part of the knowledge of a man's own self. It is a great spur to virtue to look back on the worth of our line."—Lord Bacon.

"There is no heroic poem in the world but is at the bottom the life of a man."—Sir Walter Scott.

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ILLUSTRATED

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Vol. II

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NEW YORK CHICAGO

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY

1905

Hopkin Thomas (father) was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales, in 1793. His early education was obtained in the public schools of the village in which he lived. When he reached the age of sixteen he became an apprentice in the Neath Abbey Works, near Neath, South Wales, learning the trade of a machinist. In 1834 he emigrated to the United States, landing in Philadelphia and at once secured employment in the Baldwin in Locomotive Works, later entering the shops of Garrett & Eastwick. Leaving these people, he accepted a position as master mechanic of the roads and mines of the Beaver Meadow Railway Company, and while serving in this capacity he displayed remarkable inventive genius. It was through one of his inventions that anthracite coal was first used for fuel in locomotives. One type of coal breaker was also invented by him which is in use to the present day. Likewise he invented and successfully used the chilled cast-iron car-wheel, also the most improved and successful mine pumps and machinery of that day. In I853 he became a resident of the borough of Catasauqua, and from that year until his death, May 12, 1878, he very creditably filled the position of master mechanic of the Crane Iron Works.

His wife, Catharine (Richards) Thomas, a native of Merthyr-Tydvil, South Wales, bore him the following named children: William R., Mary, who became the wife of James H. McKee; Helen, who became the wife of John Thomas; James, hereinafter mentioned; and Kate M., who became the wife of James W. Fuller.

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