John Lewis Thomas Jr. (May 20, 1835 – October 15, 1893) was an American politician. Born in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the List of United States ...

, Thomas studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1856, commencing practice soon afterwards in

Cumberland, Maryland Cumberland is a city in Allegany County, Maryland, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 19,075. Located on the Potomac River, Cumberland is a regional business and comm ...

. He also served as city counselor of Cumberland in 1856 and 1857. He moved to Baltimore in 1857, continued the practice of law, and also served as city solicitor of Baltimore from 1860 to 1862. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention of 1863 and

State's attorney In the United States, a district attorney (DA), county attorney, county prosecutor, state attorney, state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth's attorney, or solicitor is the chief prosecutor or chief law enforcement officer represen ...

from 1863 to 1865. In 1865, Thomas was elected as an Unconditional Unionist to the Thirty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Edwin H. Webster and served from December 4, 1865, to March 3, 1867. He was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for reelection in 1866 to the Fortieth Congress. After Congress, he served as collector of the port of Baltimore from 1869 to 1873 and again from 1877 to 1882. He died in Baltimore and is interred in

Greenmount Cemetery Green Mount Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established on March 15, 1838, and dedicated on July 13, 1839, it is noted for the large number of historical figures interred in its grounds as well as m ...

References

1835 births 1893 deaths Politicians from Baltimore Unconditional Union Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland Maryland Republicans Politicians from Cumberland, Maryland Bancroft Prize winners Lawyers from Cumberland, Maryland Members of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland State's attorneys in Maryland 19th-century members of the United States House of Representatives {{Maryland-politician-stub