Preceded by William Lewis Cabell Occupation Lawyer, Judge Succeeded by John Jay Good Children James M. Thurmond, Jr. Died March 14, 1882 | Spouse(s) Amanda J. Bentley Name J. Thurmond Nationality USA Allegiance Union Resting place Dallas | |
Born February 22, 1836
Daviess County, Kentucky ( 1836-02-22 ) | ||
James M. Thurmond (February 22, 1836 – March 14, 1882), attorney, was mayor of Dallas, Texas in 1879–1880.
Biography
James M. Thurmond was born February 22, 1836 in Davis County, Kentucky to Philip Thurmond and Rebecca Ann Snead. He married Amanda J. Bentley on February 14, 1880 in Dallas, Texas. They had one son, James M. Thurmond, Jr.
He moved to Texas before 1870 and was appointed mayor of Bryan, Texas by Governor E. J. Davis in 1871. In 1876 Dallas mayoral terms were change from two-year to one-year terms and gave the city council the power to remove a mayor from office. J. M. Thurmond was elected Mayor of Dallas in April, 1879 and re-elected in April, 1880. In September 1880 the city council voted to remove him and elected J. J. Good to fill the vacancy.
On March 14, 1882, Judge J. M. Thurmond was shot and killed in the courtroom by Robert E. Cowart as the result of an argument between the two men stemming from the removal of Thurmond as mayor. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.