Charles R. Thomas (1861–1931)

Charles Randolph Thomas (August 21, 1861 – March 8, 1931), son of Charles R. Thomas (1827-1891), was a North Carolina attorney and politician. Like his father, he served as a U.S. Representative in Congress from North Carolina. Whereas his father had joined the Republican Party after the American Civil War, the younger Charles Thomas was a Democrat.

This article is about one of two U.S. Congressmen from North Carolina. For other people, see Charles Thomas.
Charles R. Thomas
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
In office
March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1911
Preceded byJohn E. Fowler
Succeeded byJohn M. Faison
ConstituencyNorth Carolina's 3rd district
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office
1887–1888
Personal details
Born
Charles Randolph Thomas

(1861-08-21)August 21, 1861
Beaufort, North Carolina
DiedMarch 8, 1931(1931-03-08) (aged 69)
Norfolk, Virginia
Political partyDemocratic
FatherCharles R. Thomas
Alma materUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
OccupationLawyer, politician

Early life and education

Thomas was born in Beaufort, North Carolina, August 21, 1861; attended New Bern (N.C.) Academy and Emerson Institute, in Washington, D.C. while his father was in office. Thomas was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1881.

He studied law with his father and at the law offices of Judges R.P. Dick and John H. Dillard at Greensboro, N.C. He was admitted to the bar in 1882 and commenced practice in New Bern, NC.

Career

Quickly becoming involved in politics, Thomas was elected to a term in the North Carolina House of Representatives (1887). He served as county attorney for Craven County (1890–1896). The North Carolina legislature named him a trustee of the University of North Carolina in 1893.

Following passage of the new disfranchising constitution, which suppressed black voting, Thomas was elected as a Democrat from North Carolina's 3rd congressional district to the Fifty-sixth and to the five succeeding Congresses (serving March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1911).

He was not renominated in 1910, although he was one of five candidates at the nominating convention in Goldsboro. After 446 ballots in which nobody received a majority, John M. Faison was nominated on the 447th ballot.[1]

Thomas returned to the practice of law. He served briefly as a superior court judge. He died in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 8, 1931.[2] He is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.[3]

References
  1. "Loses After 447 Ballots", Washington Post, July 7, 1910, p3
  2. "Charles R. Thomas Dies". The Charlotte Observer. New Bern. March 10, 1931. p. 2. Retrieved January 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Find A Grave: Cedar Grove Cemetery
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
John E. Fowler		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 3rd congressional district
1899–1911		 Succeeded by
John M. Faison
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