The following article was found in the Wilkes-Barre (PA) Record, 20 Feb 1899, Page 5. If
anyone is interested in receiving a copy of this obituary, please send me your mailing
address.
(Instead of submitting this to any specific Mailing List, I am submitting it to the
General list in the hopes that it will be seen by a more diverse group.)
(LONG article. You might want to print it out.)
"William D. Thomas of Lansford, Pa., one of the best known Welshmen in the United
States, died on Saturday of pneumonia, brought on by an attack of grip. He came to
Lansford thirty-five years ago from Aberaman, Wales, and on the same steamship were the
parents of the well known J.W. Parson Price of New York City, he himself a youth among the
emigrant group from that famous coal centre of South Wales. Mr. Thomas engaged himself in
his calling, that of a miner, and settled down at Lansford. He advanced in his vocation
until he became one of the most important mine contractors in that section of the State
and earned for himself a competency. He, however, was a man who could not lead an idle
life, and up to within a few days of his death he was still active in business as a mine
contractor. Although he was continually in a whirlwind of business he always took time to
enter into public matters. He was a prominent Republican and took an active interest in
the party.
"In social gatherings he was ready and willing to lend a helping hand with his
influence and money and was considered one of the most intelligent leaders of thought in
that section of the State.
"In Welsh circles he was considered the peer of any of the bards, and his name was a
household word in eisteddfodic circles. His last public appearance in this city was at
the unveiling of the Gwilym Gwent monument, over which ceremony he presided, and in words
of warm affection paid a loving tribute to the memory of the departed composer. The Royal
Welsh Ladies' Choir sang on the occasion in the presence of 4,000 people.
"Mr. Thomas leaves friends in every State in the Union. He was a personal friend of
the leading mining fraternity in the anthracite coal regions and he and superintendent
James B. Davis of Plymouth were boon friends. Deceased leaves his wife and the following
children: Attorney W.G. Thomas of Lansford; T.D. Thomas, a student at State College,
Bellefonte, Pa.; C. Thomas, student at the University of Pennsylvania; Miss Ray Thomas of
Philadelphia; Misses Margaret, May, Reese and Eddie, who reside at home. The funeral will
be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mr. Thomas was a frequent guest of W.L.
Myles of Kingston, who, upon hearing of his sudden demise, left for Lansford and will
attend the obsequies."
Nancy Cook
Pasadena, MD, USA