David Palmer Thomas was born October 25, 1851 in Llandybie, Wales. He married Margaret Davies, born February 21, 1854 in Pentregwenlais, Wales, on March 25, 1874 in Llandybie, Wales. It was here that they had their first child, Alfred August Thomas, born July 19, 1875. After the birth of Alfred, they immigrated to Utah and settled in Salt Lake City. Here they had nine more children, for a total of ten children, six boys and four girls: Moroni Job born July 31, 1878; Elmer Gwyn, September 21, 1880; Warren John Thomas, December 20, 1882; David Palmer Jr., February 11, 1885; Margaret Natilie, March 11, 1888; Melvin Davies, January 29, 1890; Evelyn Anne, February 28, 1892; Moyer Delwyn, August 29, 1894, and Mary Gladys, September 22, 1896.

The Thomas family continued to live in Salt Lake City while Alfred Thomas served a mision for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Germany; Elmer served in the Spanish-American War as a bugler in the Battery A, Utah Light Artillery, 3rd brigade, U.S. Army; and Rhone worked in the mines in Montana and Nevada. (It appears that he is also the son of Margaret and David, but genealogical evidence is lacking.)

Two of the children are buried in Cache Valley. Alfred died October 29, 1919 in Richmond, Utah and is buried in the Richmond cemetery. Moyer died September 10, 1975 in Salt Lake and is buried in the Logan City cemetery for reasons unknown. This may be the reason why USU has this collection.