thomas was born may 1, 1847 in montgomery, alabama. during the american civil war, thomas defied laws governing slavery, and taught other slaves how to read and write. he became a school teacher in the south before moving to chicago with his wife and daughter in 1869. in chicago, he opened a grocery store, started a school for blacks, and became very involved in olivet baptist church then located in the south chicago loop, which would become his constituency. he was elected to the illinois house of representatives in 1876. in 1879, he was one of the 103 house members to support the candidacy of john a. logan; a fellow republican. he served until 1879, when he left to read law. he was admitted to the bar in 1880 and practiced law, while also expanding his holdings in real estate. he was elected again to the illinois house of representatives in 1882. in 1885, thomas introduced the legislation which became illinois' first law preventing discrimination in public accommodations. he was elected south town clerk in 1886 and served a single term. he died december 18, 1899 as one of the wealthiest african-americans in chicago.