David Thomas

DAVID THOMAS. John and Anna Thomas were the parents of David Thomas, of New Kensington, who was born July 12, 1860, in South Wales, and received his education in the common schools of his native country. After leaving school he learned the trade of a weaver. In April, 1881, he came to the United States and settled in Pittsburg, where for some time he followed his trade. In 1884 he obtained a position with the Metropolitan Insurance Company at Youngstown, Ohio, where he remained two years and a half, at the end of that time returning to Pittsburg and resuming his trade. In 1886 he became proprietor of the St. David's Hotel, Pittsburg, which he successfully conducted for fourteen years. December 10, 1900, he purchased what was then known as the Hotel Will of New Kensington, of which he immediately took possession, changing the name to the Hotel Kensington, and has been the proprietor ever since. In 1902, in partnership with Thomas J. Thomas, he engaged in the business of importing cockles or shell fish from the old country and prosecuted the undertaking for two years. In February 1904, he was elected a member of the council of New Kensington, for a term of three years and has since been largely instrumental in obtaining the new station at that place, and also other improvements. He is a member of Gomer Lodge, No. 64, I. O. O. F., Madock Lodge, No. 229, K. P., in which he has passed all chairs and holds the rank of past chancellor, and Cap Sheaf Lodge No. 159. Heptasophs, all of Pittsburg. He is esteemed loyal knight of Lodge No. 512. B. P. O. E. of New Kensington, and also belongs to the Homeless Twenty-six. In politics he is a staunch Republican.

Mt Thomas married in 1886, Elizabeth, widow of William R. Reese, and daughter of the late Thomas B. Jones of Allegheny. Pennsylvania, and they have two daughters: Sarah, graduated from Savres' Business College, of New Kensington, and is now stenographer for the Pittsburg works; and Maisie, at home. By her former marriage Mrs. Thomas was the mother of the following children: William R., manager of the Hotel Kensington; Annie, at home; Elizabeth at home; and John T., employed as a clerk by the United States Steel & Tin Plate Company.

Source: Page(s) 185, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed May 2007 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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