Ormsby Thomas

Ormsby Thomas was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 7th congressional district from 1885 to 1891. A member of the Republican Party, he had a notable political career that included three terms in Congress, as well as significant roles in state and local government. Thomas was also a veteran of the American Civil War, where he served as a captain in the Union Army. His legal career spanned several decades, and he was recognized for his contributions to the legal profession in Wisconsin until his death in 1904.

Early life and career

Ormsby Thomas was born on August 21, 1832, in Sandgate, Vermont. His family moved to the Wisconsin Territory during his early childhood, settling in Prairie du Chien, located in Crawford County. Thomas received his early education locally before pursuing further studies at the Burr Seminary in Manchester, Vermont. He graduated from the State and National Law School in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1856 and was admitted to the bar in Albany, New York, the same year. Following his admission, he returned to Prairie du Chien to establish a law practice.

Thomas became involved in local politics and was elected as the district attorney of Crawford County in 1858, running as a member of the Democratic Party. He was re-elected to this position in 1860, demonstrating his growing influence in the region. However, with the onset of the American Civil War in 1861, Thomas's career took a new direction. At that time, he was still serving as district attorney and was also a candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly.

In 1862, Thomas was elected to represent Crawford County in the Wisconsin Legislature. After the legislative session, he took on the responsibility of raising a company of volunteers for the Union Army from his county. His efforts led to the formation of Company D in the 31st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, where he was commissioned as a captain in September 1862. Initially, the regiment focused on training, supervising conscription, and guarding Confederate prisoners of war. The regiment was later mustered into federal service and assigned to protect supplies and logistics in Middle Tennessee throughout 1863. Thomas resigned his commission in January 1864 and returned to Wisconsin.

Upon his return, Thomas resumed his political career, winning another term in the Wisconsin Assembly, this time as a candidate for the National Union Party, a coalition of Republicans and Pro-Union Democrats. He served in the Union caucus during the 1865 legislative session and maintained his affiliation with the Republican Party for the remainder of his life. Although he did not seek re-election in 1865, he returned to the Assembly in 1866.

In 1867, he was appointed by Governor Lucius Fairchild to fill a vacancy in the district attorney's office of Crawford County, following the resignation of his predecessor. He completed the remainder of the term and was subsequently elected to another term in 1868. Thomas attempted a run for the Wisconsin State Senate in 1869 but was defeated. He continued to serve as district attorney, winning re-election in 1870. In 1872, he was a presidential elector for Ulysses S. Grant.

During the 1870s, Thomas focused on his legal practice, forming a partnership with Charles S. Fuller in 1876, which became a prominent law firm in the state. He re-entered politics in 1879, successfully running for the Wisconsin State Senate in the 4th State Senate district, which included Crawford County after redistricting. He won the election with a significant majority.

House tenure

After a brief hiatus from electoral politics, Thomas sought the Republican nomination for Congress in Wisconsin's 7th congressional district in 1882. His campaign faced stiff competition, particularly from Gideon Hixon, who had strong support from delegates in La Crosse County. After a protracted series of ballots at the Republican convention, Thomas was not nominated, and the eventual nominee, Cyrus M. Butt, lost in the general election to Democrat Gilbert M. Woodward.

In 1884, Thomas made another attempt for the congressional seat and successfully secured the nomination on the first ballot at the convention. He won the general election against Woodward, receiving a majority of the votes. Thomas was re-elected in 1886 and 1888, serving in the Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, and Fifty-first Congresses. During his final term in the House, he held the position of chairman of the House Committee on War Claims, where he played a role in addressing issues related to veterans and military claims.

Despite his previous electoral successes, Thomas faced a challenging political landscape in 1890 and was defeated in his bid for a fourth term. This election was marked by a significant shift in voter sentiment, resulting in Democrats winning a majority of the congressional seats in Wisconsin.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his congressional career, Thomas was involved in various legislative matters, particularly those related to veterans and military affairs, as evidenced by his role as chairman of the House Committee on War Claims during the Fifty-first Congress. His tenure in Congress coincided with a period of significant political and social change in the United States, including the aftermath of the Civil War and the evolving landscape of American politics.

After leaving Congress in 1891, Thomas returned to his legal practice, reuniting with his former partner, Judge C. S. Fuller. However, the partnership faced a tragic turn when Fuller committed suicide in 1897. In 1898, Thomas accepted the Republican nomination for another term as district attorney of Crawford County and was elected in the fall. His health began to decline during this period due to Bright's disease, which ultimately affected his ability to continue in public service.

Ormsby Thomas passed away on October 24, 1904, at his home in Prairie du Chien. At the time of his death, he was recognized as the oldest member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, reflecting his long-standing commitment to the legal profession and public service. His life and career exemplified the trajectory of a pioneer in Wisconsin's early political landscape, contributing to both local governance and national legislation during a transformative era in American history.