Thomas, Jesse Burgess

31 July 1806–20 Feb. 1850. Lawyer, judge. Born in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. Son of Richard Simmons Thomas and Florence Pattie. Attended Transylvania University, in Lexington, Fayette Co., Kentucky. Moved to Edwardsville, Madison Co., Illinois, before 1830. Married Adeline C. Smith, 18 Feb. 1830, in Edwardsville. Elected secretary of Illinois Senate, 1830 and 1832. Represented Madison Co. in state legislature, 1834. Appointed attorney general of Illinois, Feb. 1835. Moved to Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, 1835. Elected clerk of Illinois Senate, 15 Dec. 1836. Served as circuit court judge, 1837–1839. Served as Commissioner of Public Works, before June 1840. Served as vice president of Washington Reform Society, beginning Dec. 1841. Elected vice president of Illinois Literary and Historical Society, 2 Sept. 1843. Served as state supreme court justice, 1843–1845, 1847–1848. Circuit court judge of Adams and Hancock counties, Illinois, by May 1844. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., before July 1844. Moved to Chicago, by 21 Mar. 1848, where he died.