Elmer Thomas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Thomas in 1926 | |
| United States Senator from Oklahoma | |
| In office March 4, 1927 – January 3, 1951 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Harreld |
| Succeeded by | A. S. Mike Monroney |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1927 | |
| Preceded by | L.M. Gensman |
| Succeeded by | Jed Johnson |
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate | |
| In office 1907–1920 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John William Elmer Thomas September 8, 1876 Greencastle, Indiana |
| Died | September 19, 1965 (aged 89) Lawton, Oklahoma |
| Resting place | Highland Cemetery 34°37′56″N 98°24′1″W / 34.63222°N 98.40028°W |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Edith Smith |
| Alma mater | Central Normal College DePauw University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
John William Elmer Thomas (September 8, 1876 – September 19, 1965) was a native of Indiana who moved to Oklahoma Territory in 1901, where he practiced law in Lawton. After statehood, he was elected to the first state senate, representing the Lawton area. In 1922, he ran successfully on the Democratic Party ticket for the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma. He was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1926; he won this race and held the seat until 1950, when he lost the party nomination to A.S. (Mike) Monroney. Thomas returned to a private law practice in Washington, D.C., and in 1957 moved his practice back to Lawton, where he died in 1965.