RICHARD THOMAS. GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Stricken with heart trouble a few minutes after he had retired, Richard Thomas, 58, a prominent resident of Granville, died in his home in that village shortly after 9 o'clock last evening. His wife discovered the body at about 9:30 o'clock and a physician whi was summoned at once stated that Mr. Thomas had been dead only a few minutes.Mr. Thomas, recently elected a village trustee, attended his first board meeting Monday evening. He had been deeply interested in politics since taking up his residence in Granville but consented to run for office for the first time in this spring's election. He was accorded a heavy vote, Mayor Hugh G. Williams of Granville, a lifelong friend of Mr. Thomas, last nught issued a statement in which he declared that Granville has lost one of its most valued public servants.
A native of Llanllyfni, North Wales, Mr. Thomas went to Granville about 30 years ago and had resided there since that time. He was superintendent of the J. B. Preston slate quarry.
In politics, he was a Democrat. He was a member of Peniel Presbyterian church; Granville lodge, 55, F and A. M., a past noble grand of Mettowee lodge. I. O. O. F.; past president of the True Ivorites of America. Three years ago he was a commissioner from the Presbyterian church to the General Assembly.
Beside his wife, Mr. Thomas is survived by two daughters, Miss Megan Thomas, a teacher in the Cambridge schools, and Miss Eurwen Thomas, of Troy.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed.
Glen Falls Times ~ April 8th, 1931.
RICHARD THOMAS. GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Granville was shocked Tuesday evening to learn of the sudden death of Trustee Richard Thomas, one of the village's most respected citizens. Mr. Thomas had attended the funeral of Mrs. John Farmer in the afternoon and had been in good spirits and health so far as he or anyone else knew.He retired at 9 o'clock and shortly after his wife heard a noise in his room and upon entering found him dead. Heart disease was the cause.
Richard Thomas was one of the newly elected trustees of the village and had attended the organization meeting of the board Monday evening. His interest in public affairs was always pronounced, he taking his duties as a citizen and voter seriously. His judgement was sound, his education fine, his knowledge of world affairs far above the ordinary. it is common knowledge that Richard Thomas could always be depended upon to be present at any meeting of voters in the town.
He was a staunch Christian gentleman, an uncompromising foe of evil, sagacious in spiritual things and was unswervingly loyal to principle. His family and his townspeople have bid adieu to an affectionate and considerate husband, father and friend.
He had a plymate of Mayor Hugh G. Williams in Wales and ran on the ticket with Mr. Williams in the recent village election and his victory was a source of great satisfaction to many friends and admirers.
He had been a resident of Granville for twenty-six years, coming from Wales, where he was a member of the Parish Council of his community. He was elected commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of which he was an elder, held at Winona Lake, Indiana, in 1921, which is the highest office to which a layman may be chosen. He is a Past Noble Grand of the I.O.O.F. was a member of the True Ivorites and Masonic fraternity. For years he had been superintendent of the J. B. Preston Slate Company.
The son of Richard and Jane Thomas, he was born in Trefor, Llanaelhaiarn, Wales, fifty-seven years ago. In 1908 he marries Miss Ann Jones and to them were born two daughters; Megan, who is now a teacher in Cambridge, New York, and Eurwen, who is training at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy.
The funeral will be held at the Peniel Presbyterian Church at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, Revs. E. Arfon Jones, the pastor, and R. J. Owen of Middle Granville, officiating.
The bearers are to be Major Hugh G. Williams, John R. Hughes, Fred Allen, Fred Dickinson, Thomas Barrington and Thomas Rowlands. The pall bearers are to be members of the church session; David O. Owens, David W. Pritchard, Hugh Thomas and John M. Davies.
Burial will be made in Mettowee Valley Cemetery. The survivors are the widow and two daughters mentioned; and one sister, Mrs. Evan Morris of Wales.