Village Record
November 23, 1905
J. Preston Thomas- J. Preston Thomas, one of the most worthy and prominent citizens in Chester county died at his home at Whitford last Monday morning in the 64th year of his age. Mr. Thomas was stricken with illness about a month ago while transacting business in Centre county, and upon his return he took to his bed, and never recovered. Mr. Thomas was a busy man, but he was so extremely modest and unassuming that he realized how active he was and with how many different things he was identified.
AN OLD FAMILY
Mr. Thomas was the seventh descendant in a direct line from Richard ap (sic) Thomas, who came over from England with William Penn, on the good ship Welcome. Richard Thomas settled on a tract at Whitford that Originally cam from William Penn, and Mr. Thomas was the seventy owner of the farm in a direct line from the original owner. The farm now contains 183 acres, and it is one of the most valuable and productive of the many fine farms of the Chester Valley.
Mr. Thomas received his early education in a private classical school taught by a graduate of Dickerson College, and he completed his literary studies at Haverford College, where he was graduated and afterward became a trustee.
During the Rebellion he served as a member of Company B, 29th Emergency Regiment, and also in other divisions. He afterward became a member of General George A. McCall Post, No. 31, G.A.R., but did not take active part in its work because of conscientious scruples entertained by members of the religious society in which he belonged.
On December 13, 1866, Mr. Thomas married Hannah J. Gibbons, daughter of Abraham and Martha P. Gibbons, Coatesville. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born three children: Martha, who holds a position at Bryn Mawr College; George (3d), of Wilmington, and Anna M., who is at home. The mother and the wife of Mr. Thomas are living.
In 1877 Mr. Thomas was elected Director of the Poor of Chester county, and since that time has been elected from time to time, with no opposition within his party, until at the recent election he was finally chosen for one more term, but on account of his death a new man will have to be named in his place. During his long term of office he was attentive to the duties and regular at the meetings, and probably was as useful a man as any who ever held the office. He was active in the movement for the erection of a new hospital for the insane, and had much by which Chester county is now maintaining its own insane.
When the Nurses' Home was completed Mr. Thomas presented a handsome piano to the institution.
AS BANK DIRECTOR
In 8870, Mr. Thomas was elected a director of the National Bank of Chester County, the oldest financial institution in this section of the State, to succeed his late father, Dr. George Thomas. He was made Vice-President of this bank January 11, 1895, to succeed William P. Marshall, who was made President after the death of Hon. Washington Townsend.
November 1, 1901, following the death of Mr. Marshall, Mr. Thomas was elected to the office of President, filling that position with ability until the time of his death. He was almost daily at the bank, giving the details of his work there as much careful attention as thought he had nothing else to do. Yet at the same time he was pressed with a great variety of appointments in many lines of business. He was the oldest living member of the Board.
He was a Trustee of the West Chester State Normal School, and was a devoted friend of that institution.
OTHER POSITIONS
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Board of Directors of the Dime Savings Bank and of the Finance Committee; a Director of the Provident Life and Trust Company; a trustee of Haverford College and member of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings; Chairman of the Property Committee in the Board of Managers of the Chester County Hospital, which position he has had since the hospital was founded; trustee of the Epileptic Colony Farm, Oakbourne, trustee of the Rush Hospital for Consumptives, which has a branch near Malvern; trustee of the Orthodox Friends' Meeting, Director in the Chester County Trust Company since its origin and a member of the Finance Company; members of the Board of Managers of the Preston Retreat, Philadelphia.
Mr. Thomas was actively connected with Downingtown Orthodox Meeting of Friends, and was useful in Uwchlan Monthly Meeting and the higher meetings with which this is connected.
He leaves two brothers, George and Charles, both of Whitford.
November 23, 1905
J. Preston Thomas- J. Preston Thomas, one of the most worthy and prominent citizens in Chester county died at his home at Whitford last Monday morning in the 64th year of his age. Mr. Thomas was stricken with illness about a month ago while transacting business in Centre county, and upon his return he took to his bed, and never recovered. Mr. Thomas was a busy man, but he was so extremely modest and unassuming that he realized how active he was and with how many different things he was identified.
AN OLD FAMILY
Mr. Thomas was the seventh descendant in a direct line from Richard ap (sic) Thomas, who came over from England with William Penn, on the good ship Welcome. Richard Thomas settled on a tract at Whitford that Originally cam from William Penn, and Mr. Thomas was the seventy owner of the farm in a direct line from the original owner. The farm now contains 183 acres, and it is one of the most valuable and productive of the many fine farms of the Chester Valley.
Mr. Thomas received his early education in a private classical school taught by a graduate of Dickerson College, and he completed his literary studies at Haverford College, where he was graduated and afterward became a trustee.
During the Rebellion he served as a member of Company B, 29th Emergency Regiment, and also in other divisions. He afterward became a member of General George A. McCall Post, No. 31, G.A.R., but did not take active part in its work because of conscientious scruples entertained by members of the religious society in which he belonged.
On December 13, 1866, Mr. Thomas married Hannah J. Gibbons, daughter of Abraham and Martha P. Gibbons, Coatesville. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born three children: Martha, who holds a position at Bryn Mawr College; George (3d), of Wilmington, and Anna M., who is at home. The mother and the wife of Mr. Thomas are living.
In 1877 Mr. Thomas was elected Director of the Poor of Chester county, and since that time has been elected from time to time, with no opposition within his party, until at the recent election he was finally chosen for one more term, but on account of his death a new man will have to be named in his place. During his long term of office he was attentive to the duties and regular at the meetings, and probably was as useful a man as any who ever held the office. He was active in the movement for the erection of a new hospital for the insane, and had much by which Chester county is now maintaining its own insane.
When the Nurses' Home was completed Mr. Thomas presented a handsome piano to the institution.
AS BANK DIRECTOR
In 8870, Mr. Thomas was elected a director of the National Bank of Chester County, the oldest financial institution in this section of the State, to succeed his late father, Dr. George Thomas. He was made Vice-President of this bank January 11, 1895, to succeed William P. Marshall, who was made President after the death of Hon. Washington Townsend.
November 1, 1901, following the death of Mr. Marshall, Mr. Thomas was elected to the office of President, filling that position with ability until the time of his death. He was almost daily at the bank, giving the details of his work there as much careful attention as thought he had nothing else to do. Yet at the same time he was pressed with a great variety of appointments in many lines of business. He was the oldest living member of the Board.
He was a Trustee of the West Chester State Normal School, and was a devoted friend of that institution.
OTHER POSITIONS
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Board of Directors of the Dime Savings Bank and of the Finance Committee; a Director of the Provident Life and Trust Company; a trustee of Haverford College and member of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings; Chairman of the Property Committee in the Board of Managers of the Chester County Hospital, which position he has had since the hospital was founded; trustee of the Epileptic Colony Farm, Oakbourne, trustee of the Rush Hospital for Consumptives, which has a branch near Malvern; trustee of the Orthodox Friends' Meeting, Director in the Chester County Trust Company since its origin and a member of the Finance Company; members of the Board of Managers of the Preston Retreat, Philadelphia.
Mr. Thomas was actively connected with Downingtown Orthodox Meeting of Friends, and was useful in Uwchlan Monthly Meeting and the higher meetings with which this is connected.
He leaves two brothers, George and Charles, both of Whitford.
Village Record
November 23, 1905
J. Preston Thomas- J. Preston Thomas, one of the most worthy and prominent citizens in Chester county died at his home at Whitford last Monday morning in the 64th year of his age. Mr. Thomas was stricken with illness about a month ago while transacting business in Centre county, and upon his return he took to his bed, and never recovered. Mr. Thomas was a busy man, but he was so extremely modest and unassuming that he realized how active he was and with how many different things he was identified.
AN OLD FAMILY
Mr. Thomas was the seventh descendant in a direct line from Richard ap (sic) Thomas, who came over from England with William Penn, on the good ship Welcome. Richard Thomas settled on a tract at Whitford that Originally cam from William Penn, and Mr. Thomas was the seventy owner of the farm in a direct line from the original owner. The farm now contains 183 acres, and it is one of the most valuable and productive of the many fine farms of the Chester Valley.
Mr. Thomas received his early education in a private classical school taught by a graduate of Dickerson College, and he completed his literary studies at Haverford College, where he was graduated and afterward became a trustee.
During the Rebellion he served as a member of Company B, 29th Emergency Regiment, and also in other divisions. He afterward became a member of General George A. McCall Post, No. 31, G.A.R., but did not take active part in its work because of conscientious scruples entertained by members of the religious society in which he belonged.
On December 13, 1866, Mr. Thomas married Hannah J. Gibbons, daughter of Abraham and Martha P. Gibbons, Coatesville. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born three children: Martha, who holds a position at Bryn Mawr College; George (3d), of Wilmington, and Anna M., who is at home. The mother and the wife of Mr. Thomas are living.
In 1877 Mr. Thomas was elected Director of the Poor of Chester county, and since that time has been elected from time to time, with no opposition within his party, until at the recent election he was finally chosen for one more term, but on account of his death a new man will have to be named in his place. During his long term of office he was attentive to the duties and regular at the meetings, and probably was as useful a man as any who ever held the office. He was active in the movement for the erection of a new hospital for the insane, and had much by which Chester county is now maintaining its own insane.
When the Nurses' Home was completed Mr. Thomas presented a handsome piano to the institution.
AS BANK DIRECTOR
In 8870, Mr. Thomas was elected a director of the National Bank of Chester County, the oldest financial institution in this section of the State, to succeed his late father, Dr. George Thomas. He was made Vice-President of this bank January 11, 1895, to succeed William P. Marshall, who was made President after the death of Hon. Washington Townsend.
November 1, 1901, following the death of Mr. Marshall, Mr. Thomas was elected to the office of President, filling that position with ability until the time of his death. He was almost daily at the bank, giving the details of his work there as much careful attention as thought he had nothing else to do. Yet at the same time he was pressed with a great variety of appointments in many lines of business. He was the oldest living member of the Board.
He was a Trustee of the West Chester State Normal School, and was a devoted friend of that institution.
OTHER POSITIONS
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Board of Directors of the Dime Savings Bank and of the Finance Committee; a Director of the Provident Life and Trust Company; a trustee of Haverford College and member of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings; Chairman of the Property Committee in the Board of Managers of the Chester County Hospital, which position he has had since the hospital was founded; trustee of the Epileptic Colony Farm, Oakbourne, trustee of the Rush Hospital for Consumptives, which has a branch near Malvern; trustee of the Orthodox Friends' Meeting, Director in the Chester County Trust Company since its origin and a member of the Finance Company; members of the Board of Managers of the Preston Retreat, Philadelphia.
Mr. Thomas was actively connected with Downingtown Orthodox Meeting of Friends, and was useful in Uwchlan Monthly Meeting and the higher meetings with which this is connected.
He leaves two brothers, George and Charles, both of Whitford.
November 23, 1905
J. Preston Thomas- J. Preston Thomas, one of the most worthy and prominent citizens in Chester county died at his home at Whitford last Monday morning in the 64th year of his age. Mr. Thomas was stricken with illness about a month ago while transacting business in Centre county, and upon his return he took to his bed, and never recovered. Mr. Thomas was a busy man, but he was so extremely modest and unassuming that he realized how active he was and with how many different things he was identified.
AN OLD FAMILY
Mr. Thomas was the seventh descendant in a direct line from Richard ap (sic) Thomas, who came over from England with William Penn, on the good ship Welcome. Richard Thomas settled on a tract at Whitford that Originally cam from William Penn, and Mr. Thomas was the seventy owner of the farm in a direct line from the original owner. The farm now contains 183 acres, and it is one of the most valuable and productive of the many fine farms of the Chester Valley.
Mr. Thomas received his early education in a private classical school taught by a graduate of Dickerson College, and he completed his literary studies at Haverford College, where he was graduated and afterward became a trustee.
During the Rebellion he served as a member of Company B, 29th Emergency Regiment, and also in other divisions. He afterward became a member of General George A. McCall Post, No. 31, G.A.R., but did not take active part in its work because of conscientious scruples entertained by members of the religious society in which he belonged.
On December 13, 1866, Mr. Thomas married Hannah J. Gibbons, daughter of Abraham and Martha P. Gibbons, Coatesville. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born three children: Martha, who holds a position at Bryn Mawr College; George (3d), of Wilmington, and Anna M., who is at home. The mother and the wife of Mr. Thomas are living.
In 1877 Mr. Thomas was elected Director of the Poor of Chester county, and since that time has been elected from time to time, with no opposition within his party, until at the recent election he was finally chosen for one more term, but on account of his death a new man will have to be named in his place. During his long term of office he was attentive to the duties and regular at the meetings, and probably was as useful a man as any who ever held the office. He was active in the movement for the erection of a new hospital for the insane, and had much by which Chester county is now maintaining its own insane.
When the Nurses' Home was completed Mr. Thomas presented a handsome piano to the institution.
AS BANK DIRECTOR
In 8870, Mr. Thomas was elected a director of the National Bank of Chester County, the oldest financial institution in this section of the State, to succeed his late father, Dr. George Thomas. He was made Vice-President of this bank January 11, 1895, to succeed William P. Marshall, who was made President after the death of Hon. Washington Townsend.
November 1, 1901, following the death of Mr. Marshall, Mr. Thomas was elected to the office of President, filling that position with ability until the time of his death. He was almost daily at the bank, giving the details of his work there as much careful attention as thought he had nothing else to do. Yet at the same time he was pressed with a great variety of appointments in many lines of business. He was the oldest living member of the Board.
He was a Trustee of the West Chester State Normal School, and was a devoted friend of that institution.
OTHER POSITIONS
Mr. Thomas was a member of the Board of Directors of the Dime Savings Bank and of the Finance Committee; a Director of the Provident Life and Trust Company; a trustee of Haverford College and member of the Committee on Grounds and Buildings; Chairman of the Property Committee in the Board of Managers of the Chester County Hospital, which position he has had since the hospital was founded; trustee of the Epileptic Colony Farm, Oakbourne, trustee of the Rush Hospital for Consumptives, which has a branch near Malvern; trustee of the Orthodox Friends' Meeting, Director in the Chester County Trust Company since its origin and a member of the Finance Company; members of the Board of Managers of the Preston Retreat, Philadelphia.
Mr. Thomas was actively connected with Downingtown Orthodox Meeting of Friends, and was useful in Uwchlan Monthly Meeting and the higher meetings with which this is connected.
He leaves two brothers, George and Charles, both of Whitford.
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