Thomas Reynolds (Governor)

Thomas Reynolds

Thomas Reynolds (born March 12, 1796 in Bracken County , Kentucky , † February 9, 1844 in Jefferson City , Missouri ) was an American lawyer and politician ( Democratic Party ) and from 1840 to 1844 the seventh governor of the state of Missouri.

Early years and political advancement

Thomas Reynolds attended local schools in his home country. After completing a law degree, he was admitted to the bar in 1817. Reynolds began his political career in Illinois . There he was clerk in the state parliament between 1818 and 1822 . Between 1822 and 1825 he was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Illinois and from 1826 to 1828 he was a member of the House of Representatives of that state. He then moved to Missouri, where he was also elected to the House of Representatives in 1832 and became Speaker of the House. He then became a judge in the state's second judicial district. On August 3, 1840, he was elected the new governor of Missouri.

Missouri governor

Reynolds took up his new office on November 16, 1840. During his tenure, teaching began at the University of Missouri . The law that punished the indebted with prison was repealed. At that time, 15 new counties were formed in Missouri. The right to vote has also been revised. In the final year of his tenure, Reynolds committed suicide in his official residence on February 9, 1844. The exact reasons for this act remained in the dark. Thomas Reynolds was married to Eliza Ann Young. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Jefferson City.

Web links

• Thomas Reynolds in the National Governors Association (English)

• Thomas Reynolds in the database of Find a Grave (English)