Thomas Joseph "The" McManus was born in New York City, the 4th of ten children. His parents were Irish immigrants John J. McManus a native of Currabawn, Drumlish, Co. Longford, Ireland and Maria Quinn a native of Ballinamuck, Co. Longford, Ireland. He attended Grammar School No. 51, graduating with the Class of 1882. In his early life, he followed his father John, a stone cutter by trade, into the contracting business, along with several of his brothers, which he carried on for a number of years. For many years he had a deep interest in politics. It was Thomas J McManus' older brother Owen McManus who first ventured from contracting into politics. The rest of his brothers soon joined and formed the early political family dynasty. Thomas was part of the "Seven McManus Brothers" as they were then known: John J, Patrick H., Owen, Thomas J., James L., Edward A. and Charles A. McManus. Another brother, William, was a New York City fireman. A sister Rose Maria and brother Francis died as children. Thomas' oldest brother John J. McManus formed "The Thomas J. McManus Democratic Association" as the family's political clubhouse and headquarters in Hell's Kitchen. In 1891, Thomas J. McManus was elected to the State Assembly from the Seventeenth District of New York City. and served during the sessions of 1892 and 1893. Ten years later, he was elected to the Assembly from the Fifteenth District, and was re-elected in 1903, 1904 and 1905. In the fall of 1906, he was elected to the Senate of the State of New York from the Fifteenth Senatorial District, succeeding Senator Peter J. Dooling. and was re-elected in 1908. In 1907, 1908, 1909 and 1910, Senator McManus was a member of the following Senate committees: Railroads. Banks. Military Affairs, Revision and Engrossed Bills, and Public Printing. He was a member of the Democratic Club of New York City, and of the Catholic Benevolent Legion of the State of New York. For several years he was the New York City agent for the National Security Company, with offices at 115 Broadway, New York City. After retiring as Senator, Thomas joined with his brother Owen in the Bonding business at 38 Park Row in New York City. McManus was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1892, 1893, 1903, 1904 and 1905. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1907 to 1912, sitting in the 130th, 131st, 132nd, 133rd, 134th and 135th New York State Legislatures. On the evening of July 29, 1926, he presided over a meeting of his Tammany Hall district organization, and was taken ill just before midnight, suffering from high blood pressure. He died a short time later, during the early hours of the next day at the family home at 452 W. 49th Street in New York City. He was succeeded in politics by his brother Charles A. McManus, who served on the Board of Aldermen of New York City. McManus was known as a gentlemen in his district. He stood 6'3" tall with a head of red hair and well-trimmed goatee. He was known to often say that he never smoked or touched liquor. He was a lifelong bachelor. Senator McManus died in Manhattan, New York City, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Queens, New York.
