Background
Thomas, John Robert was born on October 11, 1846 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, United States. Son of Major William A. and Caroline (Neely) Thomas.
Thomas, John Robert was born on October 11, 1846 in Mount Vernon, Illinois, United States. Son of Major William A. and Caroline (Neely) Thomas.
Educated Hunter College Institute, Princeton, Indiana. (Doctor of Laws, McKendree College, Illinois, 1895). Served in Civil War, rising from private to captain.
Admitted to bar, 1869. City attorney, Metropolis, Illinois, 2 terms, 1869, 1870. State's attorney, 1871-1874.
Member 46th to 50th Congresses (1879-1889).
Served on various important committees, including commission on Naval Affairs. Has been called “father of the modern American Navy”.
Judge The United States of America courts, Indiana Ty., 1897-1901. Resumed practice, 1901.
Elected 1st member Congress from Indiana Ty. under Sequoyah Constitution, 1905.
Nominated for judge Supreme Court by 1st Republican State Convention of Oklahoma (declined). Member State Code communications of Oklahoma, 1909-1910. Was Grand Master.
Member 46th to 50th Congresses (1879-1889). Member Congress from Indiana. Member State Code Commission
Member G.A.R. Home: Muskogee, Okla</td><tr><td class="label_burgverd11px"><b>Death</b></td></tr><tr><td> Died January
Married Lottie Culver, December 28, 1870 (died 1880).