Thomas M. Waller

Thomas M. Waller

Thomas MacDonald Waller (born January 1, 1840 in New York City , †  January 24, 1924 in New London , Connecticut ) was an American politician and governor of the US state Connecticut. He was a member of the Democratic Party .

Early years and political advancement

Thomas MacDonald was a child of Irish immigrants who died before the age of eight. Robert Waller, a Connecticut trader, later adopted him. Thomas graduated from Bartlett High School, went on to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. During the Civil War he served as a volunteer in the Union Army . After the war, Waller decided to pursue a political career. He ran for a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1867 and won. Waller held the mandate again in 1872 and 1876, where he also last acted as speaker . He also served as Connecticut's Secretary of State between 1870 and 1871 and as Mayor of New London between 1873 and 1879.

Connecticut Governor

Waller won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1882 and was elected Governor of Connecticut that same year. During his tenure, he advocated the increase in domestic construction projects by increasing the budget and raising property taxes. However, he was unsuccessful because of a Republican parliamentary majority. Waller also failed in his re-election attempt in 1884.

Another résumé

After leaving office, he was appointed Consul General in London , a position he held between 1885 and 1889. Waller also attended and spoke at the 1896 Democratic National Convention .

Thomas M. Waller died on January 24, 1924 and was then buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London. He was married to Charlotte Bishop. The couple had six children.

Web links

• Thomas Waller in the National Governors Association (English)

• Thomas M. Waller in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• Thomas M. Waller at The Political Graveyard