James S. Thomas

James S. Thomas (May 25, 1802 – October 26, 1874) was an American banker and politician. A Republican, he served as Mayor of St. Louis.

Biography Thomas was born on May 25, 1802, in Maryland. In 1825, he moved to St. Louis, and in 1826, opened a bank; his bank was the first in the city. Between 1838 and 1850, he was partnered with banker Louis Auguste Benoist. After their partnership ceased, he retired.

Thomas was a Republican. During the American Civil War, St. Louis was controlled by the Union army and placed under martial law. As a result, he unretired and was appointed by the army to multiple government positions, such as president of the Board of Assessment. On March 16, 1869, he created a city Board of Health.

After serving as Mayor, Thomas became a leading figure in the creation of Tower Grove Park. He also spent the remainder of his life a member of the city's Park Board of Commissioners. His first marriage was to a daughter of one Curtis Skinner, and his second was to Susan H. Hackney; he had a daughter with Susan. He died on September 26, 1874, aged 72, in St. Louis. He was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery.