Henry Wirtz Thomas

Henry Wirtz Thomas
12th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office
March 1, 1875 – January 1, 1878
GovernorJames L. Kemper
Preceded byRobert E. Withers
Succeeded byJames A. Walker
President pro tempore
of the Senate of Virginia
In office
December 6, 1871 – March 1, 1875
Preceded byJoseph A. Waddell
Succeeded byWilliam D. Quesenberry
Member of the Virginia Senate
In office
December 6, 1871 – March 1, 1875
Preceded byEdgar Snowden Jr.
Succeeded byHierome O. Claughton
In office
December 2, 1850 – September 7, 1863
Preceded byAsa Rogers
Succeeded byWilliam H. Dulany
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Fairfax County
In office
1847–1848
In office
1841–1842
Personal details
Born
Henry Wirtz Thomas

(1812-10-12)October 12, 1812
Leesburg, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJune 22, 1890(1890-06-22) (aged 77)
Fairfax City, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyWhig
Republican
SpouseJulia Jackson Thomas

Henry Wirtz Thomas (October 20, 1812 – June 22, 1890), a Republican politician, served as the 12th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1875 to 1878 under Governor James L. Kemper.

Early life and education

Henry W. Thomas was born in Leesburg, Virginia in 1812. He attended college in District of Columbia. He studied law and became a lawyer. In 1833, he moved to Fairfax Court House. He was commissioned a Major in the Virginia Militia in 1837.

Politics

Thomas was Virginia state legislator, was a Confederate States of America Senator, and Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.[1]

At the age of 26, he was elected Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney in 1838. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1841 to 1842 and again from 1847 to 1848. He continued his legislative service to the Commonwealth in the Senate of Virginia, serving from 1850 to 1863 and from 1871 to 1875. In 1875, he was elected Lt. Governor. He also served as a Judge on the Fairfax County Circuit Court from 1866 until shortly before his death.

Personal life

Thomas was married to Julia M. Jackson, and they had a daughter named Nannie.[1]

Death

Thomas died at his home in Fairfax on June 23, 1890. He is buried in Fairfax City Cemetery in Fairfax, Virginia.

References

  1. ^ a b "Notes and Documents". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 95 (1): 95. 1987. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  • Henry Wirtz Thomas at The Virginia Elections and State Elected Officials Database Project, 1776-2007
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
1875–1878 		Succeeded by


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