Thomas Monroe Henry
Quick Facts
Biography
Thomas Monroe Henry (February 4, 1857 - June 28, 1930) was the state auditor of Mississippi from 1904 to 1908, as well as the insurance commissioner of Mississippi from 1908 until 1928.
Early life
Thomas Monroe Henry was born on February 4, 1857, in Hillsboro, Scott County, Mississippi. He was the second son of Patrick Henry, a Confederate lieutenant during the Civil War, and Mary Anne (Chambers) Henry. Thomas attended the public schools of Scott County. He left school when he was fourteen and started working. He was a clerk and a bookkeeper at Forest and Morton until 1878, and was a bookkeeper and merchant in Brookhaven from 1878 to 1883.
Public office
Henry was appointed revenue and insurance clerk in the Mississippi State auditor's office by state auditor Sylvester Gwin. He was re-appointed in this office by Gwin's successor W. W. Stone. He was appointed to the Deputy Auditor position under auditors W. D. Holder and W. Q. Cole.
State Auditor
Henry was elected to become the State Auditor of Mississippi in November 1903. He served in this office from 1904 until 1908.
Insurance commissioner
Henry was elected to the office of Insurance Commissioner of Mississippi, without opposition, in November 1907. He was re-elected in 1911 and 1915, the latter with little opposition. He continued serving until 1928, when he was defeated in the primary by B. S. Lowry.
Later life
After losing the election in 1927, Henry continued being engaged in the insurance business. He died after a long illness on June 28, 1930, in Jackson, Mississippi.
Personal life
Henry was a Democrat. He was a Presbyterian. He was married twice, and had two children from his first marriage.