Ralph W. Thomas

Ralph Wilmer Thomas (June 11, 1862 in Cornwallis, Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada – March 25, 1920) was an American politician from New York.

Life

He graduated from Colgate University in 1883. Then he taught English at The Albany Academy, and at the same time studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1885, but continued to teach, and was an examiner for the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. He was Chief Examiner from 1889 to 1892.

In 1891, he married Effie Southwick, a sister of Congressman George N. Southwick (1863–1912). In 1892, he became Professor of Rhetoric and Public Speaking at Colgate University. In 1903, he was appointed as a member of the New York State Board of Charities.

Thomas was elected on April 28, 1910, to the New York State Senate (37th D.) to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jotham P. Allds, and attended the last weeks of the regular session, and the special session, of the 133rd New York State Legislature. He was re-elected twice, and sat in the 134th, 135th, 136th and 137th New York State Legislatures until 1914.

On April 15, 1915, Thomas and Martin Saxe were appointed to the New York State Tax Commission. Thomas was re-appointed in 1916, and remained in office until 1919.

He was buried at the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands.

Sources

• Official New York from Cleveland to Hughes by Charles Elliott Fitch (Hurd Publishing Co., New York and Buffalo, 1911, Vol. IV; pg. 367)
• NOMINATED BY THE GOVERNOR in NYT on April 2, 1903
• RIVALS FOR ALLDS'S SEAT in NYT on April 13, 1910
• REPUBLICANS WIN IN ALLDS'S DISTRICT in NYT on April 29, 1910
• CONFIRM SAXE AND THOMAS in NYT on April 16, 1915
• NAMES NEW PRISONS HEAD in NYT on March 17, 1916
• SMITH SENDS APPOINTMENTS TO THE SENATE in Ithaca Daily News on January 9, 1919
• "Ralph W. Thomas" transcribed from Our County and It's People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Madison County, New York, edited by John E. Smith (The Boston History Co., 1890)

External links

• Ralph W. Thomas at Find a Grave