15 Facts About Thomas Rhea

Thomas Stockdale Rhea was a Democratic politician from the US Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Thomas Rhea served as Kentucky State Treasurer in 1912 and was state highway commissioner in the administration of Governor Ruby Laffoon.

Thomas Rhea was born in Russellville, Kentucky on December 29,1871.

Thomas Rhea was the son of Albert Gallatin and Jane Rhea.

Thomas Rhea's father Albert was a circuit court judge and served in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly, and his brother John Stockdale Rhea served in the US House of Representatives.

Thomas Rhea obtained his early education in the area's public schools and at Bethel College in Russellville.

Thomas Rhea began the practice of law in Logan County.

Thomas Rhea was the president of Southern Deposit Bank and vice-president of the Bank of Russellville.

Thomas Rhea failed in a bid to become state auditor in 1915, and his term as treasurer expired in 1916.

At the 1931 state Democratic convention, Rhea backed Madisonville judge Ruby Laffoon as the party's nominee for Governor of Kentucky and state senator J Woodford Howard for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.

Thomas Rhea became a mentor for his campaign manager, Earle Clements, who more or less led an anti-Chandler faction of the Democratic Party for the next 25 years.

In 1941, Thomas Rhea was again elected sheriff of Logan County and became chair of the state sheriffs board.

Vincent in advance of the 1944 congressional primary, Thomas Rhea resigned his $150-per-month job as field secretary for Vincent, and Vincent withdrew from the race, handing the nomination to Clements.

Thomas Rhea died at his home in Russellville on April 16,1946.

Thomas Rhea was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Russellville.