My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS WEISS, who has been for a quarter of a century a resident of Bethlehem, identified with her business and social interests, is a son of Francis Weiss, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject is greatly interested in fine horses, and owns one of the finest and most noted horses of this section, the handsome “Silver Bell,” and for upward of thirty years has made a specialty of breeding standard horses, being an authority on this subject.

The birth of Thomas Weiss occurred April 17, 1847, in Summit Hill, Carbon County, he being the second eldest of the seven children in his father’s family who are yet surviving. His boyhood was passed at Summit Hill until his tenth year, when with his parents he removed to Eckley, there growing to maturity. His education was obtained in Saunders’ private school, and afterward he entered the military school at West Philadelphia, there remaining for five years. Starting in as a private, he rose to the rank of Major, and graduated from the academy with honor. On the completion of his term of study and discipline he returned to the mines, where he assisted his father. Working for two years with George Rickert, he engaged in repairing the pumps under ground, and later took charge of the breakers. Leaving this, he formed a company of state militia, the Luzerne Zouaves, of which he was made Captain. This company did good service during the reign of the “Molly McGuires,” and other troubles of that period.

In 1870 Thomas Weiss came to Bethlehem, where he started, in the southern part of the city, a manufactury for shovels, scoops and spades, which industry grew to large proportions. After disposing of that business, Mr. Weiss turned his attention almost wholly to the breeding of fine horses, and is now one of the very few in the United States who are so familiar with the best specimens of horses and their history that they can tabulate their genealogy from memory. On his east end farm, which he has since sold, he reared a number of noted horses, among which we name “Sable King,” “Silver Bell,” “Condensation,” “Alchemy,” “Charming Bell,” and “Electioneer.” These are all of the finest breeds, being of the Wilkes strain.

Mr. Weiss was the originator and first President of the Bethlehem Fair and Driving Park Association, and was re-elected, but resigned. In the year 1893 he organized the Gentleman’s Driving Club, and is President of the same. They have from two to three races a year, and number among their members many of the prominent citizens and business men. For a number of years our subject was correspondent for eastern Pennsylvania for John H. Wallace, the originator of the Horse Register In politics he votes with the Republican parly, and socially is connected with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons and the Council, and is a Knight Templar, belonging to Hugh DePayen’s Commandery of Easton. Since his twenty-first year he has been connected with the Masonic society, and is greatly interested in the work of the organization.

In New York City, in 1874, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Amelia A. Meyer, who was born in that city and there grew to womanhood. Five children graced this marriage, Thomas, Jr., J. Bernard, Wilhelmina, Esther, and Alexander, who died in infancy. The home of the family is located at the corner of Linden and Market Streets. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church, of which their children are attendants.