Elbert D. Thomas
Encyclopedia
Elbert Duncan Thomas was a Democratic Party politician
from Utah
. He represented Utah
in the United States Senate
from 1933 until 1951.
on June 17, 1883 to Caroline Stockdale and Richard Kendall Thomas. He was the fifth of twelve children. His parents loved the arts, especially the theater. They built the first Children's Playhouse west of the Mississippi River
in a barn on their property, which they named the Barnacle. Elbert was involved in many plays held for the public in the Barnacle. His father was involved in local government and held conventions and political rallies at the Barnacle. His family later moved to a home across from what is now the Conference Center
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This home is on the National Historical Landmark Registry.
Thomas married Edna Harker on June 25, 1907 in the Salt Lake City Temple and they had three daughters together. Edna died in 1942, and Elbert later met and married Ethel Evans in 1946 in the Salt Lake City Temple.
for the LDS Church with his first wife, from 1907-1912. He was one of the first LDS missionaries
sent to Japan, and his first daughter, Chiyo, was born there. Elbert developed a deep love for the Japanese people and learned to speak Japanese fluently. He was the author of Sukui No Michi, the Japanese translation of the Mormon tract Way of Salvation. On his return from Japan, he became a Professor of Political Science and History at the University of Utah
(where he had received his B.A. in 1906). He taught Latin, Greek and Japanese culture, as well as being a Political Science and History professor and eventually an Administrator on the Board of Regents at the University of Utah
for many years.
Reed Smoot
. He served on the Committee on Education and Labor (of which he was the Chairman), the Committee on Military Affairs
, the Mines and Mining Committee, and the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Thomas served three terms before being defeated for reelection by Wallace F. Bennett
in 1950.
In 1951, he was appointed High Commissioner over the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
. Elbert died in Honolulu, Hawaii
on February 11, 1953. He was buried in the Thomas family plot in the Salt Lake City Cemetery
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. He represented Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from 1933 until 1951.
Biography
Elbert Duncan Thomas was born in Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
on June 17, 1883 to Caroline Stockdale and Richard Kendall Thomas. He was the fifth of twelve children. His parents loved the arts, especially the theater. They built the first Children's Playhouse west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in a barn on their property, which they named the Barnacle. Elbert was involved in many plays held for the public in the Barnacle. His father was involved in local government and held conventions and political rallies at the Barnacle. His family later moved to a home across from what is now the Conference Center
LDS Conference Center
The Conference Center, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the premier meeting hall for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Completed in spring 2000 in time for the church's April 2000 general conference, the 21,000-seat Conference Center replaced the traditional use of the nearby Salt...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This home is on the National Historical Landmark Registry.
Thomas married Edna Harker on June 25, 1907 in the Salt Lake City Temple and they had three daughters together. Edna died in 1942, and Elbert later met and married Ethel Evans in 1946 in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Church service
Thomas served a mission to JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
for the LDS Church with his first wife, from 1907-1912. He was one of the first LDS missionaries
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
sent to Japan, and his first daughter, Chiyo, was born there. Elbert developed a deep love for the Japanese people and learned to speak Japanese fluently. He was the author of Sukui No Michi, the Japanese translation of the Mormon tract Way of Salvation. On his return from Japan, he became a Professor of Political Science and History at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
(where he had received his B.A. in 1906). He taught Latin, Greek and Japanese culture, as well as being a Political Science and History professor and eventually an Administrator on the Board of Regents at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
for many years.
Political office
Thomas was first elected to the Senate as a Democrat in 1932, defeating RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Reed Smoot
Reed Smoot (U. S. Senator)
Reed Owen Smoot was a native-born Utahn who was first elected to the United States Senate from Utah in 1903, and served as a Senator until 1933...
. He served on the Committee on Education and Labor (of which he was the Chairman), the Committee on Military Affairs
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
, the Mines and Mining Committee, and the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Thomas served three terms before being defeated for reelection by Wallace F. Bennett
Wallace F. Bennett
Wallace Foster Bennett was a Republican Senator representing the U.S. state of Utah .-Life and career:...
in 1950.
In 1951, he was appointed High Commissioner over the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
. Elbert died in Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
on February 11, 1953. He was buried in the Thomas family plot in the Salt Lake City Cemetery
Salt Lake City Cemetery
thumb|The northern section of the cemetery at night, looking towards Salt Lake CityThe Salt Lake City Cemetery is in The Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. Approximately 120,000 persons are buried in the cemetery. Many religious leaders and politicians, particularly many leaders of The...
.