Thomas A. Mathis

Thomas A. Mathis
Thomas A. Mathis
Member of the New Jersey Senate from Ocean County
	In office; 1942–1946
Preceded by	W. Steelman Mathis
Succeeded by	W. Steelman Mathis
	In office; 1923–1931
Preceded by	Harry T. Hagaman
Succeeded by	Wilfred H. Jayne Jr.
	In office; 1914–1916
Preceded by	George C. Low
Succeeded by	David G. Conrad
	In office; 1910–1910
Preceded by	William J. Harrison
Succeeded by	George C. Low
18th Secretary of State of New Jersey
	In office; 1931–1941
Governor	Morgan F. Larson; A. Harry Moore; Harold G. Hoffman
Preceded by	Joseph F. S. Fitzpatrick
Succeeded by	Joseph A. Brophy
Personal details
Born	June 7, 1869; New Gretna, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	May 18, 1958 (aged 88); Toms River, New Jersey, U.S.
Party	Republican

Thomas A. "Captain Tom" Mathis (June 7, 1869 – May 18, 1958) was an American Republican Party boss who served in the New Jersey Senate and was the Secretary of State of New Jersey from 1931 to 1941. He was known as a racketeer and as the party boss of Ocean County, New Jersey during the early 20th century.^[1] His son was state senator W. Steelman Mathis.^[2]

Biography

Raised in the New Gretna section of Bass River Township, New Jersey, Mathis started his career as a councilman in Tuckerton, New Jersey, before moving to Toms River in 1907, Mathis won a special election for an unexpired term in the State Senate in 1910.^[2] He lost re-election in the 1911 primary, won his seat back in 1913, and lost it again in the 1915 primary. Mathis returned to the Senate in 1923.^[3]

A very corrupt figure in New Jersey politics, Mathis reportedly received kickbacks on illegal gambling and prostitution operations. He was known as Captain Tom because he commanded J. P. Morgan's America's Cup yacht for eleven years.^[2]

He committed suicide on May 18, 1958, at his home in Toms River at age 88.^[4]

Electoral history

Ocean County Senator Special Election, 1910
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas A. Mathis
Total votes			{{{votes}}}

Tuckerton Boro Council General Election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas A. Mathis
	Republican hold

References

^ Larsen, Erik. "This Ocean County political boss was not to be crossed", Asbury Park Press
^ ^a ^b ^c "Some Ocean County GOP history". Observer. August 13, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
^ via Associated Press. "Cap'n Tom Mathis Dead By Own Hand; Ocean County GOP Leader Ends Life At Age Of 88", Trenton Evening News, May 19, 1958. Accessed January 24, 2026, via Newspapers.com. "A native of New Gretna in Burlington County, Mathis married Helen Steelman of Tuckerton in 1897. In 1907, he moved from Tuckerton to Toms River, becoming an auto dealer and starting an insurance business that he continued until his death."
^ "The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey on May 20, 1958 · Page 2". Newspapers.com. May 20, 1958. Retrieved January 11, 2017.

[1] Larsen, Erik. "This Ocean County political boss was not to be crossed", Asbury Park Press

[:0-2] "Some Ocean County GOP history". Observer. August 13, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2017.

[3] via Associated Press. "Cap'n Tom Mathis Dead By Own Hand; Ocean County GOP Leader Ends Life At Age Of 88", Trenton Evening News, May 19, 1958. Accessed January 24, 2026, via Newspapers.com. "A native of New Gretna in Burlington County, Mathis married Helen Steelman of Tuckerton in 1897. In 1907, he moved from Tuckerton to Toms River, becoming an auto dealer and starting an insurance business that he continued until his death."

[4] "The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey on May 20, 1958 · Page 2". Newspapers.com. May 20, 1958. Retrieved January 11, 2017.

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