Jack Thomas papers, 1928-1973
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Thomas, Jack (Warren John)
- Title
- Jack Thomas papers
- Dates
- 1928-1973 (inclusive)19281973
- Quantity
- 0.5 linear feet
- Collection Number
- MS 0535
- Summary
- The Jack Thomas papers (1928-1973) consist of various materials regarding Warren John "Jack" Thomas (1882-1973), a Utah railroad worker and member of the LDS Church's Tabernacle Choir. Included are biographical materials, correspondence, choir programs, news clippings, and Kiwanis Club papers.
- Repository
-
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860
Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Warren John "Jack" Thomas was born December 20, 1882, in Salt Lake City. His parents, David Palmer and Margaret Davies Thomas emigrated from Wales, England to the United States in 1878. Thomas married Susan Alice Hathenbruck in 1905, their marriage being later solemnized in the LDS temple. The couple had four children: Armand John, Kenneth Jerome, Warren Earl, and Dorothy Alice. Susan Alice Thomas died October 28, 1915, two days after the birth of their fourth child in Pocatello, Idaho. The family returned to Salt Lake City where Thomas met Laura Emmabelle Stevens, a nurse at the LDS Hospital. Jack and Laura were married in the Salt Lake LDS temple January 17, 1920, and had two sons: Gwyn Stevens and Robert David. Laura Thomas died of cancer May 24, 1928. On October 16, 1929, Thomas married Emma Elizabeth Lindsey in the Salt Lake LDS temple.
Jack Thomas began a long career with the railroads in 1900 when he went to work in the baggage department of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. He was an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad for fifty-two years, retiring as General Passenger Agent, Western Division, in 1952.
Thomas sang with a number of musical groups in Salt Lake City including the Emma Lucy Gates Salt Lake Opera Company, the Salt Lake Oratorio Society, and the Orpheus Club, a male chorus established in 1892. In 1916, he became a member of the Tabernacle Choir and was appointed tour manager. As tour manager, Jack Thomas was the instigator of the Choir's first tour to Europe in 1955. For many years he raised funds to bring guest conductors and soloists to the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the annual rendition of "The Messiah," and to bring world famous artists to give concerts in the Tabernacle.
Throughout his life, Thomas was active in community organizations and civic affairs. He was a member of the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club from 1935 to 1972, serving as president of the organization in 1942. In addition, he was chairman of the Music Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, director of the Family Service Society, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alta Club, Travelers' Aid Society, and Boy Scouts of America.
Jack Thomas died in Salt Lake City August 29, 1973.
Content Description
The Jack Thomas papers (1928-1973) consist of various materials regarding Warren John "Jack" Thomas (1882-1973), a Utah railroad worker and member of the LDS Church's Tabernacle Choir. Included are biographical materials, correspondence, choir programs, news clippings, and Kiwanis Club papers.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Preferred Citation
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Personal Materials
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Description: Biographical SketchContainer: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Memorial Service ProgramDates: 1973Container: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: Personal Correspondence
Letters Thomas received from family and friends congratulating him on his accomplishments.
Dates: 1943-1948Container: Box 1, Folder 3-8 -
Description: "The Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir"
A history booklet which outlines the choir's activities from its inception in 1849 through the early 1960s.
Container: Box 1, Folder 9 -
Description: Programs, Mormon Tabernacle ChoirDates: 1934-1935Container: Box 1, Folder 10
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Description: Membership Directory, Mormon Tabernacle ChoirDates: 1967Container: Box 1, Folder 11
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Description: "The Tabernacle Organ"
Choir newsletter.
Dates: 1941Container: Box 1, Folder 12 -
Description: Correspondence, Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Letters to Thomas from Richard L. Evans and Heber J. Grant congratulating Thomas on his work with the choir.
Dates: 1939-1943Container: Box 1, Folder 13 -
Description: Jack Thomas, Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle Choir Goes to Europe
In this book Thomas described the advanced arrangements that were made for the excursion and provided a detailed record of the choir's activities while in Europe.
Dates: 1955Container: Box 1, Volume 1 -
Description: Correspondence, Salt Lake Kiwanis Club
Letters Thomas received regarding Kiwanis Club activities.
Dates: 1941-1943Container: Box 1, Folder 14 -
Description: Programs, Kiwanis Club of Salt Lake City Annual Installation PartyDates: 1943-1944Container: Box 1, Folder 15
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Description: Salt Lake Kiwanis Club Achievement ReportDates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder 16
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Description: Edgar Bergen Concert
The Salt Lake Kiwanis Club sponsored the Bergen concert as a fund raising project for the group's underprivileged youth program. Included are correspondence and arrangement materials.
Dates: 1941Container: Box 1, Folder 17 -
Description: Newsclippings, Salt Lake Kiwanis Club
The newsclippings in these folders were removed from a scrapbook. The clippings document the activities of the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club in 1942, and Thomas's affiliation with the group.
Dates: 1942Container: Box 1, Folder 18-27 -
Description: Miscellaneous Programs, Salt Lake Kiwanis ClubDates: 1943Container: Box 1, Folder 28
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Description: Programs, The Orpheus Club
The Orpheus Club was a male chorus established in 1892 in Salt Lake City. Thomas sang with the chorus for over twenty-five years and acted as the group's business manager for a number of years.
Dates: 1941; 1947Container: Box 1, Folder 29 -
Description: Souvenir Program, The Salt Lake Theater
Program from the final performance at the Salt Lake Theatre.
Dates: 1928Container: Box 1, Folder 30 -
Description: Los Angeles Temple Dedication
A letter from LDS church officials inviting Thomas to the dedicatory service and an admittance ticket.
Dates: 1956Container: Box 1, Folder 31 -
Description: News ClippingsContainer: Box 1, Folder 32-34
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Description: MiscellaneousContainer: Box 1, Folder 35
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Choirs (Music)--Utah--Salt Lake City
- Singers--Utah--Salt Lake City
Personal Names
- Thomas, Jack (Warren John)--Archives
Corporate Names
- Mormon Tabernacle Choir
- Orpheus Club (Salt Lake City, Utah)
- Salt Lake Kiwanis Club (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Form or Genre Terms
- Clippings
- Correspondence
- Programs
- Scrapbooks
