My Genealogy Hound

EDWIN R. THOMAS, cashier of the National Bank of Royersford, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in the building up of which institution he was an active and prominent factor, and since 1890 an influential and esteemed citizen of Royersford, is a lineal descendant of John Thomas, one of three brothers who came to America from their native country, Wales, at an early date, becoming loyal citizens of the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

John Thomas, aforementioned, great-grandfather of Edwin R. Thomas, settled in Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and the active years of his long and useful career were devoted to the quiet but important calling of agriculture. He married and reared a family of children, among whom was a son, John M. Thomas.

John M. Thomas, grandfather of Edwin R. Thomas, was born in Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1790. He acquired a practical education in the common schools of his native township, then served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, which he followed successfully for a number of years, and later turned his attention to the tilling of the soil. He conducted his business affairs in a reliable and trustworthy manner, and therefore achieved a large degree of financial gain. He married a Miss Tyson, daughter of Jonas Tyson, of Upper Providence township, and four children were the issue of this marriage, namely: John, Wilson, Catherine and Abel Thomas. The father of these children died in 1864.

Abel Thomas, father of Edwin R. Thomas, was born on the old homestead in Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, in 1830. He was indebted to the common schools of the neighborhood for his educational advantages, and after completing his course of study learned the trade of carpenter, becoming a thorough and expert mechanic. He engaged in this line of work for several years, then turned his attention to the occupation of drover, after which he conducted a lumber yard near the Alms House in Montgomery county, from which he deprived a goodly income. In 1870 he removed to Mingo, Montgomery county, from which he derived a goodly in-feed mill, both proving remunerative occupations, and he was a resident of this section of the state up to the time of his decease, in 1882. He was upright and conscientious in all his transactions, and the confidence reposed in him was evidenced by the fact that he was chosen to serve as director in the Farmers’ Bank of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He was an Independent Republican in politics, but never sought or held public office. By his marriage to Mary M. Rittenhouse, deceased, a daughter of Henry Rittenhouse, a farmer of Upper Providence township, three children were born: Henry R., Malinda and Edwin R. Thomas.

Edwin R. Thomas was born August 2, 1870, in Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He obtained his elementary education in the township schools, later pursued advanced studies at Treemount Seminary, Norristown, and subsequently took a business course at Peirce’s Business College, Philadelphia. He then took up his residence in Mingo, Montgomery county, and for a period of two years assisted his brother in the operation of a mill. In 1890 he came to Royersford, same county, and accepted a position as bookkeeper in the National Bank of Royersford, in which capacity he served for seven years. He was then elected teller of the same institution, and for the past three years has served as cashier. The bank, which is one of the most reliable in the county, is conducted along conservative lines, and the business has increased to large proportions under the excellent management of Mr. Thomas. He is a painstaking and conscientious worker and is esteemed accordingly. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Reformed church, of which he is a regular attendant, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party, the principles of which he has advocated since attaining his majority. He is a member of the Masonic order.

In 1890 Mr. Thomas married Mary E. Kepler, a daughter of Edward and Mary Kepler, the former named being a miller of Sanatoga, Montgomery county. Their children are: Horace K., born October 5, 1890, and Edna K., born July 28, 1892.