Emmet Nicholson Thomas (June 10, 1855 - September 15, 1932) was an American politician. He was the speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1904 to 1908.
Emmet Thomas | |
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![]() 1904 | |
Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives | |
In office January 5, 1904 – January 1908 | |
Preceded by | A. J. Russell |
Succeeded by | Hugh M. Street |
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the Washington County district | |
In office January 1890 – January 1908 | |
Preceded by | R. B. Campbell John T. Casey W. H. Harris |
Personal details | |
Born | Emmet Nicholson Thomas June 10, 1855 Gonzales, Texas |
Died | September 15, 1932 | (aged 77)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Martha H. Shackleford (m. 1884) |
Children | 3 |
Early life and career
Emmet Nicholson Thomas was born on June 10, 1855, in Gonzales, Texas.[1][2][3] He was the son of William Thomas, a probate judge in Texas during the Civil War, and his wife Ann (Rogers) Thomas; both of whom were of Scottish descent.[1][2] Thomas attended public schools, and he graduated from Mississippi College with a B. A. degree in 1876.[1][2] Thomas then read law and was admitted to the bar in 1880.[1][2] He then began practicing law in Washington County, Mississippi.[2]
Political career
Thomas was elected to represent Washington County as a Democrat in the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1889.[1][2][4] He was re-elected in 1895, 1899, and 1903.[1][2] On June 3, 1903, he officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of Mississippi's new State Capitol.[1] On January 5, 1904, Thomas was elected by the other representatives to be the office of the Speaker of the House.[1][2]
Later life
Thomas died on September 15, 1932.[3]
Personal life
Thomas was a Presbyterian.[1][2] He was a Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Mississippi.[1][2][3] In 1884, he married Martha H. Shackleford; they had three children together.[1][2]