John Randolph THAYER, Congress, MA (1845-1916)

THAYER, John Randolph, a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Douglas, Worcester County, Mass., March 9, 1845; attended the common schools and Nichols Academy in Dudley, Worcester County, and was graduated from Yale College in 1869; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1871 and commenced practice in Worcester, Mass.; served in the city council 1874-1876 and as alderman 1878-1880; was one of the trustees of Nichols Academy for fifteen years; was an unsuccessful candidate for district attorney in 1876; member of the State house of representatives in 1880 and 1881; unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Worcester in 1886; served in the State senate in 1890 and 1891; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1892 to the Fifty-third Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth, Fifty-seventh, and Fifty-eighth Congresses (March 4, 1899-March 3, 1905); was not a candidate for renomination in 1904; resumed the practice of law in Worcester, Mass., where he died December 19, 1916; interment in the Rural Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present