Thomas, John Parnell

Thomas, John Parnell (b. Feeney, Jr.) (1895–1970) U.S. representative; born in Jersey City, N.J. A counterespionage officer during World War I, he sold bonds at Paine Webber (1924–41). A Republican mayor and New Jersey assemblyman before going to the U.S. House of Representatives (1937–49), he joined the conservative Dies Committee in 1939 and chaired the notorious House Un-American Activities Committee (1947–50), punishing "unfriendly" witnesses from Hollywood with prison terms. Indicted for padding his congressional payroll in 1949, he served time in federal prison, then retired to Florida.