Thomas Jones Yorke (March 25, 1801 – April 4, 1882) was an AmericanWhig Party politician from New Jersey who served two non-consecutive terms in theU.S. House of Representatives from 1837 to 1839, and from 1841 to 1843.
Thomas Jones Yorke was born on March 25, 1801, inHancock's Bridge (now part ofLower Alloways Creek Township), inSalem County, New Jersey. He attended common schools and Salem Academy.[1] During theWar of 1812, he served as a scout for the United States forces. He studied law, but did not practice.[1]
Yorke engaged in mercantile pursuits in Salem.[1] He was county collector of Salem County in 1830. Yorke served as judge of the Salem CountyCourt of Common Pleas in 1833, 1834, and 1845 to 1854 and for a portion of the latter term was presiding judge. He served as a member of theNew Jersey General Assembly in 1835.[1]
Yorke was elected as a Whig to theUnited States House of Representatives fromNew Jersey in 1836 and served from March 4, 1837 to March 3, 1839.[1][2] He was re-elected to the House in 1838 but the House declined to seat him. He was elected to the House in 1840 and served from March 4, 1841 to March 3, 1843. He served as chairman of the committee on expenditures of the Department of the Navy.[1]
Yorke served as a director of the West Jersey Railroad Company. He served as secretary and treasurer in 1853 and as president from 1866 to 1875.[1][2] He was also president of the Cape May & Millville Railroad Company. He served as director at various times of the Swedesborough Railroad Company, Salem Railroad Company, Camden & Philadelphia Ferry Company, and West Jersey Marl & Transportation Company.[1]
Yorke died on April 4, 1882, at his home inSalem, New Jersey.[2] He was interred inSt. John's Episcopal Cemetery.[1]
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew Jersey's at-large congressional district 1837–1839 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew Jersey's at-large congressional district 1841–1843 | Succeeded by Seat inactive |
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