John W. Thomas
Encyclopedia
John W. Thomas was an American
Politician
. A Republican
, he served on two occasions as a United States Senator from Idaho
, both times appointed after his predecessor died in office.
, Kansas
, Thomas attended the rural schools and the Central Normal College at Great Bend, Kansas
. He taught school, serving as superintendent of schools of Phillips County, Kansas from 1898 to 1903, and as register of land office at Colby, Kansas
from 1906 to 1909, when he moved to Gooding, Idaho
, where he engaged in banking and livestock business.
of Gooding in 1917 for a two-year term. Thomas was a member of the Republican National Committee
from 1925 to 1933.
Thomas was appointed to the United States Senate for the first time in 1928 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his political mentor, Frank R. Gooding
, by Governor H. C. Baldridge
. He won a special election later that year to finish the term. He chaired the Senate Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation from 1929 to 1933. Thomas was defeated for election to a full six-year term in 1932 by Democrat
James P. Pope
.
After his 1932 defeat Thomas resumed his former business pursuits. In 1940 he was appointed to the Senate again, this time by Governor C. A. Bottolfsen
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William E. Borah
. Thomas won a special election to finish the term later that year and was elected to a full term in 1942, both times defeating Democrat Glen H. Taylor
. Thomas died in office three years later.
Thomas is buried in Elmwood Cemetery
in Gooding.
, on Nov. 1, 1907, who would later become a director of the United States Mint
. A grandson, John Peavey
, served for over two decades in the Idaho Senate
and was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
in 1994.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he served on two occasions as a United States Senator from Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, both times appointed after his predecessor died in office.
Early life
Born on a farm in Phillips CountyPhillips County, Kansas
Phillips County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 5,642...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, Thomas attended the rural schools and the Central Normal College at Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, named for its location at the historic big bend of the Arkansas River, is the most populous city in and the county seat of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,995.-History:...
. He taught school, serving as superintendent of schools of Phillips County, Kansas from 1898 to 1903, and as register of land office at Colby, Kansas
Colby, Kansas
Colby is a city in and the county seat of Thomas County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,387.-History:...
from 1906 to 1909, when he moved to Gooding, Idaho
Gooding, Idaho
Gooding is the county seat and largest city of Gooding County, Idaho, United States. Its population was 3,384 at the 2000 census.The city is named for Frank R. Gooding, a local sheep rancher who became a prominent political figure in Idaho in the early 20th Century, serving as both Governor of...
, where he engaged in banking and livestock business.
Political life
He was elected mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Gooding in 1917 for a two-year term. Thomas was a member of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
from 1925 to 1933.
Thomas was appointed to the United States Senate for the first time in 1928 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his political mentor, Frank R. Gooding
Frank R. Gooding
Frank Robert Gooding was a Republican United States Senator and the seventh Governor of Idaho. The city of Gooding and Gooding County, both in southern Idaho, are named for him....
, by Governor H. C. Baldridge
H. C. Baldridge
H. Clarence Baldridge was the 14th Governor of Idaho from 1927 until 1931....
. He won a special election later that year to finish the term. He chaired the Senate Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation from 1929 to 1933. Thomas was defeated for election to a full six-year term in 1932 by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
James P. Pope
James P. Pope
James Pinckney Pope was a mayor of Boise, Idaho, and a United States Senator from Idaho.Pope graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1906 and from the law department of the University of Chicago in 1909...
.
After his 1932 defeat Thomas resumed his former business pursuits. In 1940 he was appointed to the Senate again, this time by Governor C. A. Bottolfsen
C. A. Bottolfsen
Clarence Alfred Bottolfsen was a politician from Idaho. He served as the 17th and 19th Governor of Idaho from 1939 to 1941 and again from 1943 to 1945. He was a member of the Idaho Republican Party....
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William E. Borah
William Edgar Borah
William Edgar Borah was a prominent Republican attorney and longtime United States Senator from Idaho noted for his oratorical skills and isolationist views. One of his nicknames later in life was "The Lion of Idaho."...
. Thomas won a special election to finish the term later that year and was elected to a full term in 1942, both times defeating Democrat Glen H. Taylor
Glen H. Taylor
Glen Hearst Taylor was an American politician, businessman and United States Senator from Idaho. He was the vice presidential candidate on the Progressive Party ticket in the 1948 election. Taylor was otherwise a member of the Idaho Democratic Party...
. Thomas died in office three years later.
Thomas is buried in Elmwood Cemetery
Elmwood Cemetery (Gooding, Idaho)
Elmwood Cemetery is a cemetery in Gooding, Idaho.-Notable Burials:*Frank R. Gooding - Governor of Idaho 1905-1909, U.S. Senator 1921-1928. Namesake of Gooding, Idaho, and Gooding County, Idaho....
in Gooding.
Legacy
Thomas and his wife Florence had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Thomas Peavey BrooksMary Brooks
Mary Elizabeth Thomas Peavey Brooks directed the United States Mint from September 1969 to February 1977.Brooks was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon, the third woman named to the post...
, on Nov. 1, 1907, who would later become a director of the United States Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
. A grandson, John Peavey
John Peavey
John Peavey is a rancher and Democratic politician from Carey, Idaho. Peavey served in the Idaho Senate from 1969 to 1976 and from 1978 to 1994....
, served for over two decades in the Idaho Senate
Idaho Senate
The Idaho Senate is the upper chamber of the Idaho State Legislature. It consists of 35 Senators elected to two-year terms, each representing a district of the state. The Senate meets at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, Idaho.-Composition of the Senate:...
and was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho is a constitutional statewide elected office in the State of Idaho. According to the Idaho Constitution, the lieutenant governor is elected to a four-year term....
in 1994.