John W. Thomas (sheriff)

John Warren Thomas
Norfolk County, Massachusetts Sheriff
In office January 1, 1857 – January 1, 1878
Preceded by	Thomas Adams
Succeeded by	Rufus Corbin Wood
Norfolk County, Massachusetts Sheriff
In office 1852 – 1853
Appointed by	George S. Boutwell
Preceded by	Thomas Adams
Succeeded by	Thomas Adams
Personal details
Born	April 1, 1815 Weymouth, Massachusetts
Died	July 20, 1888
Political party	Democratic Free Soil Republican
Spouse(s)	Sarah Blanchard
Children	John Warren Thomas, Jr., born November 14, 1849
Occupation	Shoemaker

John Warren Thomas (April 1, 1815 - July 20, 1888) was a shoemaker, and politician who twice served as the Sheriff of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, first for one year, from 1852 to 1853, and again for 21 years, from 1857 to 1878.

Thomas, the son of Andrew Thomas, was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts on April 1, 1815. Thomas received his education in the Weymouth public schools.

In 1852 Thomas was elected to represent Weymouth in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and in 1853 he was elected to serve as a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention.

In 1852 Thomas was appointed Norfolk County sheriff by Massachusetts governor George S. Boutwell. The next year Thomas was removed from office for political reasons by Boutwell's successor John H. Clifford In 1856 the state law was changed and the office of sheriff became an elected, rather than appointed position, Thomas received the nominations of both the American and Republican parties. Thomas was elected by a plurality of three thousand, and a majority of twenty five hundred votes over the Democratic and (Fillmore) American party candidate Edward Potter. Thomas was once again sworn as the Norfolk County sheriff on January 1, 1857. Thomas continued in office until January 1, 1878, winning each triennial election until he declined to run again due to failing health.

Thomas died on July 20, 1888.

Thomas' portrait is in the collection of the Dedham Historical Society.

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