Tom Rhea
| Thomas Rhea | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 17th Kentucky State Treasurer | |
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In office 1912–1916 |
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| Preceded by | Edwin Farley |
| Succeeded by | Sherman Goodpaster |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 29, 1871 Russellville, Kentucky |
| Died | April 16, 1946 (aged 74) Russellville, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Maple Grove Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Lillian Clark |
| Relations | Brother of |
| Alma mater | Bethel College |
Thomas Stockdale Rhea (1871–1946) was a Democratic politician from the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. He served as Kentucky State Treasurer in 1912 and was state highway commissioner in the administration of Governor Ruby Laffoon. Known as "The Sage of Russellville" or "The Gray Fox", Rhea was a powerful Democratic political boss in the state. He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1935, losing to A. B. "Happy" Chandler in the Democratic primary.
Thomas Rhea was born in Russellville, Kentucky on December 29, 1871. He was the son of Albert Gallatin and Jane (Stockdale) Rhea. His father Albert was a circuit court judge and served in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly, and his brother served in the U.S. House of Representatives. His grandfather, Charles Rhea, owned and edited the first newspaper in Logan County.
Rhea obtained his early education in the area's public schools and at Bethel College in Russellville. He began the practice of law in Logan County. He was the president of Southern Deposit Bank and vice-president of the Bank of Russellville. In 1905, he was elected sheriff of Logan County. In January 1916, Rhea married Lillian Clark of Russellville. The couple had four children – Lillian Rhea Noe, Thomas Jr., Albert III, and Roland.
Rhea's political career began in 1912, with his election as state treasurer. From 1912 until his death, he was a delegate to every Democratic National Convention and, as one of five floor leaders at the 1932 convention in Chicago, was particularly instrumental in securing the delegates from the conservative Southern states for liberal New York native Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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