Thomas J. Holmes Explained

Thomas J. Holmes
Office:16th Mayor of Portland, Oregon
Term Start:1866
Term End:1867
Predecessor:Henry Failing
Successor:J. A. Chapman
Party:Democrat
Birth Place:Suffolk, England
Death Date: (aged 47–48)
Death Place:Portland, Oregon

Thomas J. Holmes (c. 1819 – June 18, 1867) was the mayor of Portland, Oregon, United States from 1866 to 1867. He was born in Suffolk, England, and emigrated to the United States in 1837. He lived in New Jersey until 1852, when he moved west to California and, later the same year, to Oregon.[1] He served on the Portland Public Schools board from 1862-1866.[2] Following the resignation of Mayor Henry Failing, Holmes was chosen to succeed him as mayor by a vote of the city council on December 1, 1866.

Thomas Holmes died at his Portland home of a stroke on June 18, 1867, only one day after being elected to a full term as mayor.[1]

His son, Byron Z. Holmes (1847 – November 23, 1903), was elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1876 and was a "prominent citizen" and businessman in Portland.[3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Death of Mayor Holmes. The Daily Oregonian. June 20, 1867. 3.
  2. https://www.pps.net/cms/lib/OR01913224/Centricity/Domain/219/Board%20Members%20Historical%20List%202021.pdf Portland Public Schools Board Members 1851 to Present
  3. News: Byron Z. Holmes Is Dead. The Morning Oregonian. November 24, 1903. 11. 2014-12-28.
  4. Web site: Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide: 1876 Regular Session (9th). Oregon State Archives. 2016-06-21.