Thomas Larkin Thompson

Thomas Larkin Thompson (May 31, 1838 – February 1, 1898) was an American newspaperman and politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from California from 1887 to 1889. He was the son of Robert Augustine Thompson.

Thomas Larkin Thompson
Thompson c. 1887
14th Secretary of State of California
In office January 10, 1883 – January 8, 1887
Governor	George Stoneman
Preceded by	Daniel M. Burns
Succeeded by	William C. Hendricks
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 1st district
In office March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889
Preceded by	Barclay Henley
Succeeded by	John J. De Haven
United States Minister to Brazil
In office September 9, 1893 – July 17, 1897
President	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	Edwin H. Conger
Succeeded by	Edwin H. Conger
Personal details
Born	(1838-05-31)May 31, 1838 Charleston, Virginia (now West Virginia)
Died	February 1, 1898(1898-02-01) (aged 59) Santa Rosa, California
Political party	Democratic
Parent	Robert A. Thompson (father)

Early life and career

Born in Charleston, Virginia (now West Virginia), Thompson attended the common schools and Buffalo Academy, Virginia (now West Virginia). He moved to California in 1855 and settled in Sonoma County. He established the Petaluma Journal the same year. He purchased the Sonoma Democrat in 1860, and was the editor of that paper.

Early political activities

He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1880 and 1892, and was secretary of state of California from 1883 to 1887. He declined to be a candidate for renomination.

Congress

Thompson was elected as a Democrat to the 50th United States Congress (March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889). He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1888 to the 51st Congress.

Later career and death

He was appointed on April 4, 1891, commissioner from California to the World's Fair at Chicago. He was minister to Brazil from April 24, 1893, to May 27, 1897.

Death

He died in Santa Rosa, California, February 1, 1898, and was interred in the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery.

Electoral results

1886 United States House of Representatives elections^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas Larkin Thompson	16,499	50.1
	Republican	Charles A. Garter	15,526	47.1
	Prohibition	L. W. Simmons	849	2.6
	Independent	Philip Cowen	80	0.2
Total votes			32,954	100.0
	Democratic hold

1888 United States House of Representatives elections^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John J. De Haven	19,345	49.9
	Democratic	Thomas Larkin Thompson (Incumbent)	19,019	49.0
	Know Nothing	W. D. Reynolds[3]	428	1.1
Total votes			38,792	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic