John M. Thayer was born in Bellingham, Massachusetts on January 24, 1820. Thayer attended rural schools and later studied law at Brown University. Arriving in Nebraska in 1854, he quickly affiliated himself with the Republican Party and actively participated in politics. Thayer served as delegate to the convention which organized the Republican Party in the Nebraska Territory and was elected to the Nebraska Territorial Legislature in 1860-61. Then the future governor resigned to become a colonel in the First Nebraska Infantry and was promoted to brigadier-general in 1862. After the Civil War he was elected United States senator from Nebraska and served in the Senate until 1871. President Grant appointed Thayer Governor of the Wyoming Territory in February 1875.

After his term ended on May 29, 1878, he returned to Nebraska to resumed his law practice. Thayer also served two consecutive terms as Governor of Nebraska from January 6, 1887 to January 8, 1891 and Thayer County, Nebraska, is named for him. In 1892, he retired from public life to follow literary pursuits. John M. Thayer died March 19, 1906.

The Governor John M. Thayer Collection

Few of the records, about one half cubic foot, from the office of Wyoming’s second territorial governor have survived to be included in the collections of the state archives. Records from Governor John M. Thayer’s tenure are mostly petitions for the pardon of convicts. Some records dealing with Indian and military affairs have been saved. These include various records documenting the availability of arms for the territory, and a Wyoming Rangers muster roll. Miscellaneous samplings of records deal with the organization of Crook County, appointments, proclamations, and instructions for applying for the extradition of fugitives.

The records from Governor Thayer's term in office include:

• General Records
• Insanity Cases
• Crook County Organization
• Administrative Records
• General Correspondence
• Appointment Records
• Proclamations
• Petitions for Pardons
• Requisitions and Extraditions
• Extradition - Instructions for Applications
• Indian and Military Affairs
• Legislative Affairs
• Message to the Territorial Assembly, 1875
• Message to the Territorial Assembly, 1877
• Unsigned Bills and Resolutions
• Certificate of Election

Quotations

It should be your duty to reduce taxation, wherever it can be done, consistent with the public welfare. The people expect this at your hands; failing in this respect, you will fail in the discharge of one of your most important duties. -- Message to the Territorial Assembly, 1875

Reliable information has been received by me to the effect that one party of hunters recently killed more than one hundred elk, in the range of mountains east of the Seminole district, and simply took away the hides; and also, that more than three thousand hides of these animals have been brought into the stations of the Union Pacific railroad, between Laramie and Green River, during the last six months. The meat, of course, was left to waste. Thus, it will be seen, the killing of this game for the ides has become the means of quite an extensive traffic. This is, indeed, cruelty to animals, as well as a grievous wrong to the people, and should be prevented by laws with severe penalties attached for violation of its provisions." -- Message to the Territorial Assembly, 1875

Woman suffrage has now been in practical operation in our Territory for six years, and has, during the time, increased in popularity and in the confidence of the people. In my judgment, its results have been beneficial, and its influence favorable to the best interests of the community. A right or privilege, once granted, is not easily surrendered. In this case it is difficult to perceive any good reason why it should be." -- Message to the Territorial Assembly, 1875

There is no reason or justice in the people of the country being taxed to raise the means wherewith to support the Indian in idleness. The further continuance of the policy, of thus supporting him, is wrong. He should be taught to labor, and thus earn his living. Labor is a law of life, and there is no reason why he should be exempt." -- Message to the Territorial Assembly, 1875

Additional Resources

• "Happy Birthday Governor Thayer!" Wyoming Postscripts, Wyoming State Archives, January 24, 2015. (accessed September 2015)
• John Milton Thayer gubernatorial papers, RG1 SG14, Nebraska State Historical Society. (accessed September 2015)
• Curtis, Earl G. "John Milton Thayer," Nebraska History Vol 29 (March/June 1948): 134-50.
• "Nebraska Governor John Milton Thayer," National Governor's Association. (accessed September 2015)
• "John Milton Thayer" memorial, FindAGrave.com. (accessed September 2015)
• "Brigadier General John M. Thayer" bust, Vicksburg National Military Park, National Park Service. (accessed September 2015)
• "Thayer, John Milton (1820-1906)," Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. (accessed September 2015)
• "John Milton Thayer (1820-1906)," Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. (accessed September 2015)
• "Thayer, Hon. John Milton of Wyoming & Nebraska. Brig Gen & major of the Territorial forces operating against the Pawnee Indians in 1855-61. Colonel of 1st Nebraska Inf. July 21, 1861," LC-BH832- 29877 (P&P), photograph from Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Library of Congress. (accessed September 2015)