Thomas J. Humes
Thomas J. Humes | |
|---|---|
Humes, c. 1900 | |
| 23rd Mayor of Seattle | |
| In office November 19, 1897 – March 21, 1904 | |
| Preceded by | W. D. Wood |
| Succeeded by | Richard A. Ballinger |
| Member of the Washington Territorial Legislature | |
| In office 1887–1889 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick Halloran |
| Member of the Kansas House of Representatives | |
| In office 1877–1881 | |
| Constituency | 105th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Jefferson Humes February 14, 1849 Clinton County, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 1904 (aged 55) Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Alma Roberts |
| Children | 8 |
Thomas Jefferson Humes (February 14, 1849 – November 9, 1904) was an American politician who served as the Mayor of Seattle from 1897 to 1904, as a member of the Republican Party. Prior to his mayoralty he served in the Kansas House of Representatives and the legislature of the Washington Territory.
Born in Clinton County, Indiana, Humes was educated in Keokuk County, Iowa, and studied law in Sigourney, Iowa. He practiced law in Washington County, Kansas, before being elected as the county's prosecuting attorney. After serving two terms in the state house he unsuccessfully ran for Kansas Attorney General and worked as an Assistant United States Attorney.
Moving to Washington in 1882, Humes served in the territorial legislature for one term. He worked as a lawyer before Governor Elisha P. Ferry appointed him as a judge in 1890. The Seattle City Council appointed him to replace Mayor W. D. Wood in 1897, and he won in the 1898, 1900, and 1902 elections.