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County: Jefferson
Term of Service at the Supreme Court of Missouri: January 1891 – December 1892
Judge John Lilburn Thomas was born September 16, 1833, at Belleview Missouri.[i] He worked on his family farm and attended school until he turned 16.[ii] He then moved to Arcadia, Missouri and was educated at Arcadia College,[iii] where he graduated in 1853.[iv] After graduation, Thomas served as a teacher at a country school and read law for two years, from 1853 to 1855.[v] Circuit Judge D.M. Leet, admitted him to the bar in 1855, in Crawford County.[vi] In October 1855, he opened his first office in Steelville, Missouri.[vii] He moved to Hillsboro, Missouri in 1858, where he continued to practice law.[viii]
In 1870, Thomas was elected as a state Representative to the Missouri Legislature and served as the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House.[ix] In 1880, John L. Thomas was elected Circuit Judge of the Twenty-Sixth Judicial Circuit, which included Iron, Jefferson, Reynolds, and Washington Counties.[x] He was re-elected to this position in 1886.[xi] He served as circuit judge for 12 years.[xii] In 1881, Judge Thomas moved to De Soto, Missouri.[xiii] Judge Thomas was instrumental in organizing a state Judicial Conference, known as “The Conference of Nisi Prius Judges of Missouri,”[xiv] which met in 1882.[xv] Judge Thomas was the organization’s first President and served in that capacity for eleven years.[xvi]
On November 25, 1890, Thomas was appointed by Governor Francis, as a Judge of the Supreme Court, for a two-year term.[xvii] He was one of two judges first appointed under the 1890 constitutional amendment,[xviii] which increased the size of the Supreme Court to seven judges and divided the Supreme Court into two divisions.[xix] Judge Thomas began his service with the Court in January of 1891.[xx] He served the Court until the conclusion of his term.[xxi]
In May 1893, Judge John Lilburn Thomas was appointed Assistant Attorney-General of the United States for the Post Office Department.[xxii] He served in this position for four years.[xxiii] In 1897, after his service as Assistant Attorney-General to the Post Office Department, Thomas moved to De Soto, Missouri, where he opened a law office with his son.[xxiv]
His time and experience as Assistant Attorney-General inspired and motivated Thomas to author Lotteries, Frauds, and Obscenity in the Mails, which was published in 1900.[xxv] Additionally, Thomas also authored The Law of Constructive Contempt, The Shepherd Case Reviewed, in 1904.[xxvi]
Judge John Lilburn Thomas died June 11, 1924, at his daughter’s home, in Waco, Texas.[xxvii]
[i] “Obituary,” The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), June 19, 1924, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687524746/?terms=Judge%20Thomas&match=1 See also: John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 11, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[ii] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 11, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[iii] Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, For the Years 1891-92, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printer and Binders, 1892), 352, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed on August 23, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1644/rec/8
[iv] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 11, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[v] “Obituary,” The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), June 19, 1924, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687524746/?terms=Judge%20Thomas&match=1 See also: Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, For the Years 1891-92, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printer and Binders, 1892), 352, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed on August 23, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1644/rec/8
[vi] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 11, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up See also: Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, For the Years 1891-92, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printer and Binders, 1892), 352, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed on August 23, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1644/rec/8
[vii] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 11, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up See also: “Obituary,” The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), June 19, 1924, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687524746/?terms=Judge Thomas&match=1
[viii] “Obituary,” The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), June 19, 1924, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687524746/?terms=Judge%20Thomas&match=1 See also: John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 11, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[ix] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n15/mode/2up See also: Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, For the Years 1891-1892, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1892), 352, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed June 20, 2021, https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1644/rec/8
[x] Michael K. McGrath, editor, Michael K. McGrath, Secretary of State, Official Directory of Missouri, For 1885, 5th edition, (St. Louis, MO: John J. Daly Stationery & Printing Company, 1885), 120 and 157, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed August 23, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/741/rec/5 and https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/778/rec/5 See also: Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, for the Years 1891-1892, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1891), 249, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed June 20, 2021, available from https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1299
[xi] Michael K. McGrath, editor, Michael K. McGrath, Secretary of State, Directory of Missouri, 1887-8, 6th edition, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1888), 191, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed August 23, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/2132/rec/6 See also: Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, for the Years 1891-1892, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1891), 249, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed June 20, 2021, available from https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1299
[xii] Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, for the Years 1891-1892, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1891), 249, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed June 20, 2021, available from https://cdm16795.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1299 See also: “Obituary,” The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), June 19, 1924, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687524746/?terms=Judge%20Thomas&match=1
[xiii] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[xiv] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[xv] Perry S. Rader, reporter, “In Memoriam. Hon. John T. Thomas,” Reports of Cases Determined by the State of Missouri between October 9, and December 22, 1925, vol. 311, (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1926), xxv. Publication located in the Supreme Court of Missouri Law Library. See also: John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[xvi] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up See also: Perry S. Rader, reporter, “In Memoriam. Hon. John T. Thomas,” Reports of Cases Determined by the State of Missouri between October 9, and December 22, 1925, vol. 311, (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1926), xxv. Publication located in the Supreme Court of Missouri Law Library.
[xvii] Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, For the Years 1891-1892, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1892), 352, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed June 20, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1644/rec/8 See also: “Missouri State News, Missouri’s New Judges,” Iron County Register, (Ironton, Missouri), December 4, 1890, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the Chronicling America website, accessed August 23, 2021, available from https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024283/1890-12-04/ed-1/seq-6/#date1=1890&index=4&rows=20&words=George+MacFarlane&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Missouri&date2=1890&proxtext=George+Macfarlane&y=21&x=8&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
[xviii] Alexander A. Lesueur, compiler, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State, Official Manual of the State of Missouri, for the Years 1891-1892, (Jefferson City, MO: Tribune Printing Company, State Printers and Binders, 1891), 249, information courtesy of the Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives, accessed June 20, 2021, available from https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/1543/rec/8
[xix] F. M. Brown, reporter, “Constitutional Amendment,” Reports of Cases Determined by the State of Missouri, vol. 102, (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1891), iv-v. Publication located in the Supreme Court of Missouri Law Library.
[xx] F. M. Brown, reporter, “Constitutional Amendment” Reports of Cases Determined by the State of Missouri, vol. 102, (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1891), iv. Publication located in the Supreme Court of Missouri Law Library.
[xxi] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up
[xxii] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up See also: Perry S. Rader, reporter, “In Memoriam. Hon. John L. Thomas,” Reports of Cases Determined by the State of Missouri between October 9, and December 22, 1925, vol. 311, (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1926), xxvi. Publication located in the Supreme Court of Missouri Law Library.
[xxiii] John Lilburn Thomas, Descendants of James Wilton Thomas and Eliza Ann Johnson, also the Biography of John Lilburn Thomas, also containing an account of the migration of the Thomas and Johnson families and others to Missouri, (New York, NY: L. Middleditch Company, 1917), 12 and 13, image courtesy of the Archive.org website, accessed July 7, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/descendantsofjam00thom/page/n13/mode/2up See also: “Obituary,” The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), June 19, 1924, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687524746/?terms=Judge%20Thomas&match=1
[xxiv] The Jefferson Democrat (Hillsboro, Missouri), May 13, 1897, image digitized by the State Historical Society of Missouri, information courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri's Digital Newspaper Project, accessed on June 26, 2021, available from https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/687395605/?terms=Judge%20John%20L.%20Thomas&match=1
[xxv] John L. Thomas, Lotteries, Frauds, and Obscenity in the Mails (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1903), title page, information courtesy of Archive.org, accessed July 2, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/lotteriesfraudso00thom/page/n5/mode/2up
[xxvi] John L. Thomas, The Law of Constructive Contempt: the Shepherd Case Reviewed (St. Louis, MO: F. H. Thomas Law Book Company), information courtesy of Archive.org, accessed on July 2, 2021, available from https://archive.org/details/lawofconstructiv00thom/page/n7/mode/2up
[xxvii] Perry S. Rader, reporter, “In Memoriam. Hon. John L. Thomas,” Reports of Cases Determined by the State of Missouri between October 9, and December 22, 1925, vol. 311, (Columbia, MO: E. W. Stephens Publishing Co., 1926), xxv. Publication located in the Supreme Court of Missouri Law Library.
Biographical Information Authored by Ms. Lillian Williams, 2021, University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri.