THOMAS, Charles Randolph, Congress, NC (1827-1891)

THOMAS, Charles Randolph, (father of Charles Randolph Thomas [1861-1931]), a Representative from North Carolina; born in Beaufort, Carteret County, N.C., February 7, 1827; attended a private school in Hillsboro, N.C., and was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1849; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1850 and commenced practice in Beaufort, N.C.; moved to New Bern, N.C., and continued the practice of law; member of the State constitutional convention in 1861; secretary of state of North Carolina in 1864; appointed by the Governor president of the Atlantic & North Carolina Railroad in 1867; judge of the superior court 1868-1870; elected as a Republican to the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1875); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1874; resumed the practice of law in New Bern, N.C., and died there February 18, 1891; interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present