John R. Thim (April 29, 1902 – December 6, 1988)"John R. Thim, 86; served on state Supreme Court", Hartford Courant (December 7, 1988), p. B5. was an American lawyer and politician who served as Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1949, and as a justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1966 to 1972.
Early life, education, and career Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Thim was admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia in October 1925,"District Bar Roll Increased By 56", Washington Evening Star (October 16, 1925), p. 38. and entered the practice of law in New Haven in 1926, having been one of 39 applicants to pass the Connecticut bar in that city in January 1926, out of 104 candidates."Thirty-Nine Pass Bar Examination", Hartford Courant (January 17, 1926), p. 18.
Political and judicial service Thim was a judge of the Hamden Town Court from 1941 to 1951. He represented Hamden, in the state House of Representatives from 1943 to 1951. On December 21, 1948, Thim was selected by the Connecticut Republican Party to serve as Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives for the session to be held in 1949."J. R. Thim Elected New Speaker", Hartford Courant (December 21, 1948), p. 1.
On July 20, 1966, Thim and Elmer W. Ryan were both sworn in as justices of the state supreme court."Judge Thim, Judge Ryan Sworn In", The New London Day (July 21, 1966), p. 27. Thim served until 1972, when he reached the mandatory retirement age for justices.Jack Zaiman, "Judge Will Refuse Role on State Supreme Court", Hartford Courant (March 24, 1972), p. 56.
Personal life and death Thim married Mary Flom, with whom he had a daughter and three sons. He died at his home in Hamden at the age of 86, following a lengthy illness.
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