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==Background==
==Background==
Thomas was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Caroline Neely and William Allen Thomas.<ref name=historicalsocietybio/> After attending common schools in [[Indiana]], he served in the Union Army during the [[American Civil War]]. Joining the army with the initial rank of Private, Thomas was active in the Battle of Franklin where he was wounded. He later achieved the rank of [[Captain]].<ref name=historicalsocietybio/>
Thomas was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Caroline Neely and William Allen Thomas.<ref name=historicalsocietybio/> After attending common schools in [[Indiana]], he served in the Union Army during the [[American Civil War]]. Joining the army with the initial rank of Private, Thomas was active in the Battle of Franklin where he was wounded. He later achieved the rank of [[Captain]].<ref name=historicalsocietybio/>
Following the war, Thomas proceeded to study law, and in 1869 was admitted to the Illinois bar.<ref name=historicalsocietybio/>
==Political career==
==Political career==