Politician, Civil War Confederate Officer. In 1849, following the discovery of gold in California, Cameron E. Thom left his native Virginia in a caravan of oxen-powered wagons to seek his fortune. While his mining ventures offered only limited success, his evening hours spent studying the law, would lead to a lifetime of civic service and contributions. His law career, started in land claims in Sacramento, soon led him to Los Angeles. After but two years, he was elected City Attorney and County Attorney. His thriving career in law and public service was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War. An ardent supporter of the Confederacy, he returned to Virginia as Captain, served in 15 battles, and was wounded twice. After the close of the war, he returned to California to learn that he had lost his property, his fortune, his career, and even his wife, who had returned to her family, taken ill, and died. A pardon by President Johnson, and a loan of $300 in gold from J. M. Griffith, allowed Thom to move forward with his life. He returned to public service, became a co-founder of the city of Glendale, served as Los Angeles City Mayor from 1882-1884, and served later terms of office as City Attorney.
Politician, Civil War Confederate Officer. In 1849, following the discovery of gold in California, Cameron E. Thom left his native Virginia in a caravan of oxen-powered wagons to seek his fortune. While his mining ventures offered only limited success, his evening hours spent studying the law, would lead to a lifetime of civic service and contributions. His law career, started in land claims in Sacramento, soon led him to Los Angeles. After but two years, he was elected City Attorney and County Attorney. His thriving career in law and public service was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War. An ardent supporter of the Confederacy, he returned to Virginia as Captain, served in 15 battles, and was wounded twice. After the close of the war, he returned to California to learn that he had lost his property, his fortune, his career, and even his wife, who had returned to her family, taken ill, and died. A pardon by President Johnson, and a loan of $300 in gold from J. M. Griffith, allowed Thom to move forward with his life. He returned to public service, became a co-founder of the city of Glendale, served as Los Angeles City Mayor from 1882-1884, and served later terms of office as City Attorney.
Bio by: Shiver
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