John R. Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Robert Thomas
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 18th district |
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| In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | William Hartzell |
| Succeeded by | William R. Morrison |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 20th district |
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| In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1889 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | George W. Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 11, 1846 Mount Vernon, Illinois, United States |
| Died | January 19, 1914 (aged 67) McAlester, Oklahoma, United States |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Charlotte Maria Culver |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Attorney |
John Robert Thomas (October 11, 1846 – January 19, 1914) was an important American politician and judge from Illinois. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives and later became a judge in the Indian Territory (which is now part of Oklahoma). He also helped create the laws for the new state of Oklahoma. Sadly, he died during a prison escape attempt in 1914.
Judge Thomas was also the father of Carolyn T. Foreman, who became a well-known historian of Oklahoma along with her husband, Grant Foreman.
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Early Life and Military Service
John Robert Thomas was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, on October 11, 1846. He went to local schools and later attended Hunter Collegiate Institute in Princeton, Indiana.
During the American Civil War, he joined the Union Army. He started as a private and rose through the ranks to become a captain. He was part of Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Thomas was injured during the Battle of Franklin in Tennessee. He never fully recovered from this wound.
Legal and Political Career
After the Civil War, John Robert Thomas studied law. He became a lawyer in 1869. He served as the city attorney for Metropolis, Illinois, in 1869 and 1870. From 1871 to 1874, he was the State's attorney.
Serving in Congress
Thomas was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives. He served five terms, from March 4, 1879, to March 3, 1889. During his time in Congress, he led the Committee on Levees and Improvements of the Mississippi River.
In 1883, Thomas was one of only a few Republican members of Congress who voted against the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. This act changed how government jobs were given out. Before, jobs were often given to political supporters (the "spoils system"). The new act created a fairer system based on merit, known as the civil service system.
He did not run for re-election in 1888.
Later Judicial Work
After leaving Congress, Thomas went back to practicing law in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He then became a United States judge in the Indian Territory from June 30, 1897, to June 30, 1901. During this time, he made important legal decisions. For example, he issued the first death penalty in the Territory. He also handled a case where men were convicted of serious crimes against two Seminole boys.
Even though he first thought Oklahoma should become two separate states, he later supported it becoming one state. He realized that his political party would not approve of adding more senators from a new Democratic state. He was asked to be a judge for the Oklahoma Supreme Court but chose not to. Instead, he helped write the laws for the new state as a member of the Oklahoma State Code Commission from 1908 to 1910.
Death
John Robert Thomas died in McAlester, Oklahoma, on January 19, 1914. He was at the state prison to interview an inmate. During his visit, a prison escape attempt happened. Several inmates broke into the office where he was. Thomas was killed during this incident.
He was first buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Later, his remains were moved and reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Family Life
John Robert Thomas was the son of Major William Allen Thomas and Caroline (Neely) Thomas. He married Charlotte "Lottie" Maria Culver in 1870.
Their daughter, Carolyn, married Grant Foreman. Carolyn became a well-known author and historian. She wrote several books about Native Americans and the history of Oklahoma. Their son, John R. Thomas Jr., was known as a hero from the Spanish–American War, serving with the Rough Riders.
In 1884, while he was a U.S. Congressman, John Robert Thomas also served as the Grand Master for the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois.
