Representative Lewis Dominic Thill

Lewis Dominic Thill (October 18, 1903 – May 6, 1975) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a Representative from Wisconsin in the United States Congress from 1939 to 1943. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Wisconsin’s 5th congressional district in the 76th and 77th United States Congresses and contributed to the legislative process during two terms in office.

Born on October 18, 1903, Thill came of age in the early twentieth century, a period marked by rapid industrial growth and significant political change in the Midwest. Details of his early family life and upbringing are not extensively documented in public sources, but his later professional path indicates an early commitment to education, the law, and public service. Growing up in Wisconsin, he would have been exposed to the state’s strong traditions of civic engagement and reform-oriented politics, which shaped many political careers in his generation.

Thill pursued higher education and legal training before entering public life, preparing for a career as a lawyer. After completing his studies and gaining admission to the bar, he established himself in the legal profession. His work as an attorney provided him with experience in statutory interpretation, advocacy, and the practical application of law, skills that would later inform his approach to legislative responsibilities in Congress. His legal background also positioned him to understand the implications of federal legislation for both individuals and businesses in his district.

Building on his legal career and involvement in Republican Party activities, Thill entered electoral politics and successfully ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He was elected as a Republican to represent Wisconsin’s 5th congressional district and took office with the 76th Congress on January 3, 1939. He was reelected to the 77th Congress, serving continuously until January 3, 1943. His tenure in the House coincided with a significant period in American history, encompassing the final years of the Great Depression and the nation’s initial involvement in World War II.

During his service in Congress, Thill participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his Wisconsin constituents at the federal level. As a member of the House of Representatives, he engaged in debate, considered legislation, and contributed to the formulation of national policy at a time when the United States was grappling with economic recovery measures and the mounting global crisis that led to American entry into World War II. Within this context, he worked as part of the Republican minority and then opposition to the Roosevelt administration’s New Deal policies, reflecting the perspectives and priorities of his district and party.

Thill’s congressional service concluded in 1943, after two full terms in office. Leaving the House at the start of the 78th Congress, he returned to private life and to the practice of law. Although he no longer held federal elective office, his experience as a former member of Congress and practicing attorney allowed him to remain engaged in civic and professional affairs, contributing his expertise to legal and community matters in Wisconsin.

Lewis Dominic Thill died on May 6, 1975. His career as a lawyer and his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1939 to 1943 placed him among the Wisconsin Republicans who helped shape federal policy during a transformative era in American political and economic history.