Thomas McCaul


Thomas McCaul was an American merchant, contractor and insurance agent from Tomah, Wisconsin who served one term as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, as well as the first mayor of the newly elevated City of Tomah. During the American Civil War, he was a member of the 1st United States Sharpshooters.

Background

McCaul was born in New York City on January 18, 1838; he received a common school education. He came to Wisconsin with his father and stepmother in 1855; they settled in Fox Lake. He became a farmer and merchant. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment but was discharged at Camp Randall "for injuries received" (presumably during training. He re-enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company G of the 1st United States Sharpshooters (better known as Berdan's U. S Sharpshooters

In Tomah

McCaul moved to Tomah in 1868, and held various local offices. In 1873, he was elected to the 2nd Monroe County Assembly district as a member of the Liberal Reform Party for a one-year term. He received 592 votes, against 513 for Republican Joseph Winship, and 178 for "Independent Republican" John F. Richards; incumbent Republican Adelbert Bleekman was not a candidate. He listed himself in the Wisconsin Blue Book as a "Lib. Republican"; and was assigned to the standing committee on the militia and the joint committee on local legislation. He was not a candidate for re-election, and was succeeded by Republican William W. Jackson.

After the Assembly

In 1883, after Tomah became a city, he was elected its first mayor. He would serve in that office on several other occasions, and was elected once more in 1906 as the leader of a movement favoring construction of paving and sewers.
He became active in the Democratic Party, and represented his county at events such as the state Democratic convention in 1894.

Death

McCaul died on October 24, 1926 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Tomah.