Thomas Jenckes

Thomas Allen Jenckes (November 2, 1818 – November 4, 1875) was a United States Congressional representative for the State of Rhode Island. Jenckes was best known for introducing a bill that created the United States Department of Justice. President Ulysses S. Grant then signed the bill into law on June 22, 1870. Jenckes was also an avid supporter of civil service reform.

Thomas Allen Jenckes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st district
In office March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by	William Paine Sheffield, Sr.
Succeeded by	Benjamin T. Eames
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
In office 1854–1857
Personal details
Born	November 2, 1818
Died	November 4, 1875 (aged 57)
Resting place	Swan Point Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Brown University
Occupation	Lawyer

Jenckes graduated from Brown University in 1838. Jenckes was admitted to the Rhode Island state bar in 1840. He was clerk in the Rhode Island state legislature from 1840 until 1844. From 1854 until 1857 he was a member of the State house of representatives. He was elected as Republican to the United States Congress in 1863 and served until 1871 when he lost a bid for reelection. He then resumed the practice of law in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Jenckes died on November 4, 1875 and is interred at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island.[1]

References

1. Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried: A Directory Containing More Than Twenty Thousand Names of Notable Persons Buried in American Cemeteries, with Listings of Many Prominent People who Were Cremated. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 296. ISBN 9780806348230.

Further reading

• Ari Hoogenboom, "Thomas A. Jenckes and Civil Service Reform," Mississippi Valley Historical Review, vol. 47, no. 4 (March 1961), pp. 636–658. In JSTOR

External links

• United States Congress. "Thomas Jenckes (id: J000076)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Bibliographical Directory of the United States Congress