Colonel William A. Phillips

Thomas Larkin Thompson (May 31, 1838 – February 1, 1898) was an American newspaperman and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from California from 1887 to 1889. He was the son of Robert Augustine Thompson.

Early life and career

Born in Charleston, Virginia (now West Virginia), Thompson attended the common schools and Buffalo Academy, Virginia (now West Virginia). He moved to California in 1855 and settled in Sonoma County. He established the Petaluma Journal the same year. He purchased the Sonoma Democrat in 1860, and was the editor of that paper. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1880 and 1892, and was secretary of state of California 1883-1887. He declined to be a candidate for renomination.

Congress

Thompson was elected as a Democrat to the 50th United States Congress (March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889). He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1888 to the 51st Congress.

Later career and death

He was appointed on April 4, 1891, commissioner from California to the World's Fair at Chicago. He was minister to Brazil from April 24, 1893, to May 27, 1897.

Death

He died in Santa Rosa, California, February 1, 1898, and was interred in the Rural Cemetery.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Political offices
Preceded by
Daniel M. Burns
Secretary of State of California
1883–1887
Succeeded by
William C. Hendricks
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 1st congressional district

March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889
Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Minister to Brazil
9 September 1893 – 17 July 1897
Succeeded by