Thomas J. Holmes
(1819 – 1867)
Marshal - December 2, 1854 – July 12, 1856
(1819 – 1867)
Marshal - December 2, 1854 – July 12, 1856
Thomas J. Holmes was born in Suffolk, England where he apprenticed as a printer before immigrating to the United States in 1837. He first settled in New Jersey and in 1852 came by ship to San Francisco before settling in Portland. During the municipal election of 1855 Holmes was elected City Marshal by a large margin. Holmes served as Marshal during the Yakima War (1855-1856) and became the first marshal to appoint deputies when he hired eight special night guards to protect the city from Indian attack; they only served for a short time. During Holmes’ term as marshal there was a great public outcry over the restrictive and selectively enforced liquor laws and the influence of “black leg” gamblers in the city. There was also a great deal of public support for the establishment of a permanent salaried police force that could provide 24-hour-a-day coverage for the city. The issue of a city police force would remain controversial for more than a decade before the city finally took action.
In 1856 Thomas Holmes won re-election as City Marshal, but he also won a seat on the City Council. He resigned as Marshal, succeeded by William Higgins, but remained on the City Council, leading the fight to reform the liquor laws and the unsuccessful fight to control gambling. In June, 1867 Holmes won election as mayor but died of a massive stroke on election night, long before he could take office.
In 1856 Thomas Holmes won re-election as City Marshal, but he also won a seat on the City Council. He resigned as Marshal, succeeded by William Higgins, but remained on the City Council, leading the fight to reform the liquor laws and the unsuccessful fight to control gambling. In June, 1867 Holmes won election as mayor but died of a massive stroke on election night, long before he could take office.