Thomas McCaul
Thomas McCaul was an American merchant, contractor, and insurance agent from Tomah, Wisconsin. He 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". He re-enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company G of the 1st United States Sharpshooters (better known as Berdan's U. S SharpshootersIn 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 served 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.