Thomas F. Timlin (September 28, 1863October 29, 1903) was an American businessman and politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Milwaukee's 6th Assembly district during the 1903 session, but he died before the end of his term.
Background Timlin was born in Mequon, Wisconsin, on September 28, 1863, and came to Milwaukee in 1868. He was educated at St. Gall's Academy; after graduating he was in the grocery business until 1893 when he was appointed tax assessor of the fourth assessment district, a job he left in 1900, resigning to go into the real estate and fire insurance business.
Politics In 1902, Timlin was chosen as the Democratic nominee in Milwaukee's 6th Assembly district. This was the first election after the 1901 redistricting act in which the 6th district moved from a northeast city lakeshore district to a downtown district, taking much of the territory of the previous 1st and 2nd Assembly districts. In the general election, he defeated Republican Bart J. Ruddle and Social Democrat William H. Statz. He was assigned to the standing committee on ways and means.Erickson, Halford, ed. The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin 1903 Madison: Halford Erickson, Commissioner of Labor and Industrial Statistics, 1903; pp. 568, 610, 1101
Death Timlin died of pneumonia on October 29, 1903."State News", Oshkosh Northwestern October 30, 1903; p. 6, col. 5 The Assembly passed a resolution in March 1905, as part of a memorial for Timlin and two other members who had died since the end of the 1903 session."Honor Memory of Dead Solons", Appleton Post-Crescent March 9, 1905; p. 4, col. 4 - via Newspapers.com He would be succeeded in the Assembly by fellow Democrat Thomas F. Ramsey (who was also an insurance and real-estate agent).Erickson, Halford, ed. The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer, 1905; pp. 566, 1108
Personal life and family Timlin was one of at least four children born to Irish American immigrants William and Ellen ( Bohan) Timlin. During his childhood, his father adopted their cousin—William H. Timlin—who had been orphaned. William H. Timlin later went on to become a prominent lawyer and a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Thomas Timlin married Clara Bauer in 1893. They had at least four children together, who all survived him.
References