1894 – Elwyn Thomas, longtime Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, was born in Eldred, a small community in St. Lucie County on this date. Thomas attended Stetson University College of Law, graduating in 1915, and became the prosecuting attorney for St. Lucie County in 1917.By 1925 he became the Circuit Court Judge for St. Lucie County. In 1938 he was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court, serving as Chief Justice from 1947-1949 and again from 1959 – 1961. He retired in 1969 after 31 years on the bench. During his time as a Justice, he helped create the Florida District Court of Appeals.