Representative Tom Stout

Tom Stout (May 20, 1879 – December 26, 1965) was an American educator, lawyer, newspaper editor, and Democratic politician who served two terms as a U.S. Representative from Montana’s at-large congressional district from March 4, 1913, to March 3, 1917. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, and he participated actively in the legislative process while representing the interests of his Montana constituents.

Stout was born on May 20, 1879, in New London, Ralls County, Missouri. He pursued higher education at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he studied law. After completing his legal studies, he remained at the university for a time as a member of the law faculty, teaching law and beginning a professional career that combined legal training with public service and education.

In 1902, Stout moved to Lewistown, Montana, a relocation that marked the beginning of his long association with the state. There he entered the newspaper and publishing business, becoming editor and publisher of the Fergus County Democrat, a position he held from 1902 to 1916. Through this role he became a prominent voice in local Democratic politics and civic affairs. In addition to his work in journalism, he was admitted to the bar and practiced law, further establishing himself as an educator and lawyer in his adopted state.

Stout’s political career in Montana began in the state legislature. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to the Montana Senate in 1910 and served there until 1913. His legislative experience at the state level, combined with his visibility as a newspaper editor and his legal background, positioned him for higher office at a time when Montana’s representation in Congress was expanding.

Following the 1910 United States census, Montana gained an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rather than create separate congressional districts, the state continued to elect its representatives at large, with the at-large district separately electing two members. In this context, Stout ran for what was designated as Seat B in 1912. He was narrowly elected and took his seat in the Sixty-third Congress on March 4, 1913. He was re-elected in 1914 to the Sixty-fourth Congress, serving continuously until March 3, 1917. During his two terms in the House of Representatives, Stout contributed to the legislative process as a Democratic member of Congress, participating in debates and votes during the progressive era and the early years of Woodrow Wilson’s administration. He did not seek re-election in 1916 and returned to Montana at the conclusion of his service.

After leaving Congress, Stout resumed and expanded his work in journalism. He continued his involvement in the newspaper business in Lewistown, becoming editor and publisher of the Lewistown Democrat News from 1916 to 1946. His newspapers remained important organs of Democratic opinion and local news in central Montana. In the early 1930s, he entered state regulatory service as a member of the Montana Public Service Commission, reflecting his continued engagement in public affairs beyond elective office.

Stout later returned to legislative service at the state level. In 1942, he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1944 and again in 1946, serving multiple terms and extending a public career that spanned both state and federal government. After leaving the legislature, he moved into a more specialized journalistic role, working as an editorial writer for the Billings Gazette from 1947 to 1960. In this capacity he continued to influence public discourse in Montana well into the mid-twentieth century.

In his later years, Stout resided in Billings, Montana, where he remained until his death. He died on December 26, 1965, closing a long life marked by service as an educator, lawyer, newspaperman, state legislator, public service commissioner, and member of the United States House of Representatives.