Robert Cadogen Thomas was born on 1862 May 24, in Bridgend Glamorgan, Wales. He attended Bickerton House Wesleyan School from 1872 through to 1878 and then took one year at Victoria University, Manchester. Following that, he articled as an accountant for five years with an export-import firm in Liverpool. Thomas arrived in Calgary in the summer of 1884. He bought a quarter section and started a farm. Following the 1885 Riel Rebellion, during which he was involved in the transport end of the militia, Thomas returned to his farm as a supplier of butter and eggs to C.P.R. construction gangs. In 1887, he married Agnes Egevir Louise Shaw. They had four children. In 1904, Mr. Thomas was elected to a one year term as Alderman in 1905-1906 and served four more one year terms, between 1924 and 1928. He was active in the lumber and coal business, but also owned a livery stable. He was President of the Alberta Ice Company and in 1931, he built the Wales Hotel which he managed until his death.