Elmer Thomas

John William Elmer Thomas ( born September 8, 1876 at Greencastle, Indiana, † September 19, 1965 in Lawton, Oklahoma ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the state of Oklahoma in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

Born on a farm in Indiana Thomas first attended the public schools and later the Central Normal College in Danville. There he graduated in 1897; three years later, the degree at DePauw University in Greencastle. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1897 from Indiana as well as those of 1900 in Oklahoma, and he began to practice as a lawyer in Oklahoma City. In 1901 he moved to Lawton.

From 1907 to 1920, Thomas was a member of the Senate of Oklahoma; 1910-1913 he was its president pro tempore. During this time he became in 1908 the founder of the city of Medicine Park in Comanche County. In 1920 he wrote his first application for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but was unsuccessful. Two years later he was then victorious and belonged to the parliament chamber after a reelection between 4 March 1923 and 3 March 1927.

Immediately thereafter, Elmer Thomas moved within the Congress in the Senate, where he remained after three re-election until January 3, 1951. In 1950, he wanted to run again, but was not set up by his party. During his time in the Senate, Thomas was one of the Chairmen of the Agriculture Committee.

After his retirement from politics Thomas worked as a lawyer in Washington, before he returned to Lawton in 1957. There he died in September 1965, shortly after his 89th birthday. A situated northwest of Lawton lake contributes as an appreciation of longtime Senator Elmer Thomas Lake 's name.