Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 10.djvu/147

 THOMAS

THOMAS

acting as president of that body; and was one of the first U.S. senators from Illinois, serving, 1818-29, introducing the Missouri Compromise in the 16th congress, 1820, with the amendment which forbade the immigration of free Negroes into the state. He was a delegate to the Whig convention at Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 4, 1889, and subsequently removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he died by his own hand, when temporarily insane. May 3. 1853.

THOMAS, Jesse Burgess, jurist, was born at Lebanon, Ohio, July 31, 1806; second son of Rich- ard Symmes and Frances (Pattie) Thomas. He was educated at Transylvania university, Ky., and practised law for a number of years at Spring- field, 111., removing in 1845 to Chicago, where he thenceforth resided. He was for a time attorney- general of Illinois. He was judge of the circuit court, Jaefore whom Joseph Smith, founder of Mor- monism, %vas on trial at the time of his assassina- tion. He was twice elected to the supreme bench of Illinois, and served with distinction until his death at Chicago. III.. Feb. 21, 18.50.

THOMAS, Jesse Burgess, clergyman, was born in Edwardsville, 111., July 29, 1832; son of Jesse Burgess and Adeline Clarissa (Smith) Thomas; grandson of Richard Symmes and Frances (Pattie) Thomas and of Theophilus AV. and Clarissa (Rathbone) Smith. His grandfather was a brother of Je.sse Burgess Thomas, U.S. senator (q.v.), and his fatlier (1806-50) was judge of the circuit and supreme courts of Illinois, 1840- 50. He attended the school of Beaumont Parks at Springfield, and George F. Wilson's English and Classical school at Chicago, 111., and was gradu- ated from Kenyon college. Gambler. Ohio, A.B,, 1850. He was admitted to the bar in 1852; studied in Rochester Theological seminary, 1853- 54, but was obliged to leave on account of ill health, and engaged in mercantile business in Chicago, 1854-57. He was married. May 30, 1855, to Abbie Annie, daughter of Dr. Timothy and Mary (Jane) Eastman of Ottawa county, Mich. He practised law in Chicago, 1857-62; was pastor of a Baptist church in Waukegan, 111., 1862-64; of the Pierrepont Street church, Brooklyn, N.Y., 1864-69; of the First church, San Francisco, Cal., 1869; of the Michigan Avenue church, Chicago, 111., 1869-74, and resumed his pastorate in Brooklyn, 1874-88. He became professor of church history in the Newton Theological insti- tution, in 1888, the chair vacated by Dr. S. L^ Caldwell (q.v.), in 1878. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from the University of Chicago in 1866, and that of LL.D. from Georgetown college, Ky., in 1898. He is the author of: The Old Bible and the New Science (1877); The Mould of Doc- trine {18SS); Significance of the Histor iced Element in Scripture.

THOMAS, John, soldier, was born in Marsh- field, Mass., in 1725. He became a prominent physician in Marshfield and Kingston, Mass., was surgeon in a regiment in Nova Scotia in 1746, and in 1747 was appointed on the medical staff of Gen. William Shirley's regiment. He was pro- moted lieutenant, and in 1759 colonel of provin- cials, and was stationed with his corps in Nova Scotia, He led the left wing of the detachment under Col. William Haviland from Lake Cham- plain to cooperate with the army, moving against Montreal in August, 1760; took part in the cap- ture of Montreal, and subsequently returned to his medical practice in Kingston. In 1775 he joined the Sons of Liberty; raised a regiment of volunteers; was commissioned brigadier-general, Feb. 9, 1775; commanded a brigade on the Rox- bury side during the siege of Boston; took posses- sion of Dorchester Heights, March 4, 1776, and on the morning of March 5, had thrown up formid- able works, which caused the evacuation of the town by the British, March 17, 1776. He was ap- pointed major-general, March 6, 1776, and after the death of Gen. Richard Montgomery, renpived command of the army in Canada, which he joined before Quebec, May 1, 1776; but on account of the .sickness and discontent among the troops, did not risk an assault and withdrew from Canada. While on the march toward Cliambly. lie was stricken with smallpox and died, June 2. 1776.

THOMAS, John Robert, representative, was born at Mt. Vernon, 111., Oct. 11, 1846; son of Maj. William AUayne and of Caroline (Xeely) Thomas; grandson of Col. Nathan and Mary (Creager) Thomas and of Gen. John I., and Jane Robertson (Montgomery) Neely; great-grandson of Capt. Richard Tliomas, M.C., and of Isaac and Martha (McClure) Montgomery. Five ancestors served in the American war of the Revolution: Richard Thomas, Joseph Neely, James Mont- gomery, Thomas McClure and Patrick Henry. He attended the common schools and Hunter col- legiate institute, Princeton, Ind.; .served in the Union army during the civil war, being promoted from private to captain; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1869. He served as city attornej-- of Metropolis, 111., 1870-71; as state's attorney, 1872-76, and was a Republican representative from the eighteenth, twentieth and twenty-second Illinois districts in the 46tli- 50th congresses, 1879-89; and served as judge of the U.S. courts of the Indian Territory from July 1, 1897, to June 30, 1901, after which he served as president of the Territorial Trust and Surety company, and engaged in the practice of law at Muskogee, Ind. Ter. He received the degree of LL.D. from McKendree university. Lebanon, 111., in June. 1897. He was married, Dec. 23. 1870. to Lottie, daughter of Capt. Phihp Washing-