Ulysses Sampson Thompson (1888 - 1990)

Born 28 Aug 1888 in Prescott, Nevada, Arkansas, United States

Husband of Florence M. (Winfrey) Thompson — married 27 Mar 1924 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Husband of Gertrude (Curtis) Thompson — married 12 Aug 1946 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada, United States

Died 17 Mar 1990 at age 101 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Ulysses Thompson is Notable.

Musician 3rd Class Ulysses Thompson served in the United States Army in World War I
Service started: 30 Jan 1918
Unit(s): 366th Infantry Regiment
Service ended: 24 Mar 1919

Ulysses Sampson Thompson, known by his stage name "U.S. Thompson," is a notable figure for his significant contributions to the entertainment industry, particularly during the early 20th century. Rising from humble beginnings, Thompson showcased exceptional talents as a dancer, singer, and comedian, captivating audiences across various mediums, from street performances to vaudeville stages and circus tents. His versatility and charisma led him to tour with renowned circuses and burlesque acts, gaining recognition for his unique blend of entertainment. Thompson's career not only encompassed his own success, but also saw him supporting and promoting the career of his wife, Florence Mills, a celebrated entertainer in her own right. Through his resilience, talent, and dedication, Thompson left an indelible mark on the entertainment landscape, earning him a place of distinction in the annals of American performance history.^[1]

Ulysses Sampson Thompson was born on August 28, 1888, in Prescott, Nevada County, Arkansas,^[2] to George Washington Thompson and Hanna Pandora (Driver) Thompson.^[3] Initially christened simply as Ulysses, he acquired the additional initial "S" when an aunt, who also served as his schoolteacher, appended it to simplify his name for his peers. Thus, he became known as "U.S. Thompson." Tragically, his mother passed away from typhoid fever when he was just seven years old, leaving him to navigate life's challenges from an early age.

Despite his difficult circumstances, Thompson exhibited early signs of his natural talent for entertainment. He honed his skills by dancing on the streets for spare change, displaying a charisma that would serve him well throughout his life. As he grew older, he ventured into various manual labor jobs, including stints in a sawmill, brickyard, steelyard, rock quarry, and even as a grocery delivery boy. However, it was his knack for captivating audiences that eventually led him to a unique opportunity with a "high-pitch" doctor who peddled patent medicines on the streets. Thompson's job was to entertain passersby with his singing, dancing, and humor, drawing crowds for the doctor's sales pitches—a role that introduced him to the world of medicine shows and provided a platform to develop his professional skills as an entertainer.^[4]

During his formative years, Thompson's journey took him across different towns and occupations. In 1900, at the age of eleven, he lived in Stephens Township, Ouachita County, Arkansas, where he and his brother Steven lived with the Todd family and earned their keep by chopping wood.^[5] By the age of sixteen in 1904, he discovered the allure of carnivals and circuses, embarking on a nomadic lifestyle that saw him traveling with various big tops, including notable names like Mighty Haag, Sells-Floto, Hagenback and Wallace, and Ringling Bros. Alongside his circus endeavors, Thompson explored vaudeville during the winter seasons, earning the moniker "Slow Kid" for his remarkable slow-motion dance routines, alongside his ability to perform fast tap and acrobatic acts.^[4]

By 1916, Thompson's career trajectory shifted as he joined The Tennessee Ten, a burlesque/vaudeville act that toured prestigious theaters on the Keith circuit.^[6] This period marked a significant transition in his professional life, as he balanced his own burgeoning career with supporting his wife, Florence Mills, an internationally renowned entertainer known by her stage name.^[7]

During World War I, his tenure with the Tennessee Ten was briefly interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 30, 1918. Assigned to Europe as a musician, he played the role of a clown drummer. His antics included tossing drumsticks into the air and deftly catching them in rhythm. The army had its own band, and they put on a concert for the soldiers. During these performances, they would form a large circle, and he would step into the center, dancing and bouncing exuberantly. The audience loved it, and it became a major hit. He received his discharge from the army on March 24, 1919.^[4][8]

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War I, where he entertained troops with his musical talents and comedic antics, Thompson continued to support his wife's career, primarily in New York City, where she achieved success on Broadway and abroad in Europe.^[4][9][10]

Tragedy struck with the untimely death of Florence Mills in 1927, leaving Thompson to navigate his career independently.^[11] Throughout the 1930s, he toured extensively in Europe and Asia, expanding his reach beyond the American spotlight.^[4][12][6] Despite personal setbacks and transitions, including marriages to Dr. Gertrude Curtis in 1946,^{[13][14][15][16]} Thompson remained active in the entertainment industry until his retirement around 1969.^[13]

Thompson's longevity was remarkable, living to the age of 101.^[17] In his later years, he lived in a nursing home in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he passed away on February 17, 1990. He was laid to rest at Little Rock National Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, talent, and a lifetime dedicated to the art of entertainment.^[13][18]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Ulysses "Slow Kid" Thompson. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. February 21, 2024, 04:25 UTC. Available at: "Ulysses S. Thompson." Accessed May 2, 2024.
2. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:732N-YT6Z : 23 February 2021), Ulysses Thompson, 1917-1918.
3. ↑ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007: Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Ancestry Record 60901 #35179833
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Egan, Bill, "African American Entertainers in Australia and New Zealand: A History, 1788-1941", McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers Jefferson, North Carolina, ISBN (print) 978-1-4766-7795-8, ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4766-3743-3, 2020. "African American Entertainers in Australia and New Zealand: A History, 1788-1941." Accessed 2 May 2024.
5. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Stephens, Ouachita, Arkansas; Roll: 70; Page: 2; Enumeration District: 0141 Ancestry Record 7602 #35724979
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} "Jazz Band is Hit at Moore", The Seattle Star, Seattle, Washington, 8 Sep 1919, Mon. - Page 5. Newspapers Clip: 146460571, 2 May 2024.
7. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2479-ZNX : 10 February 2018), Ulysses S. Thompson and Florence Winfrey, 27 Mar 1924; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,643,123.
8. ↑ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010: Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Ancestry Record 2441 #5110199
9. ↑ "United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLSP-3Y7 : 13 November 2019), Ulysees Samson Thompson, 1938.
10. ↑ "United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XP5K-B23 : 14 November 2019), Ulysses Samson Thompson, 1938.
11. ↑ "Florence Mills, 32, Star of Revuew, Dies", Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, 2 Nov 1927, Wed. - Page 27. Newspapers Clip: 146461203, Accessed 2 May 2024.
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XST7-8JY : accessed 21 March 2021), Ulysses S Thompson, Chicago (Districts 0001-0250), Cook, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 152, sheet 23A, line 19, family , NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 421; FHL microfilm 2,340,156.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} "Harlem’s Ulysses 'Slow Kid' Thompson, The Master Of Slow-Motion Dance And Husband To Diva Florence Mills", Harlem World Magazine, 5 Dec 2021. "Harlem’s Ulysses 'Slow Kid' Thompson, The Master Of Slow-Motion Dance And Husband To Diva Florence Mills." Accessed 2 May 2024.
14. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00921; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 103-19 Ancestry Record 2442 #143641705
15. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 2062; Page: 12; Enumeration District: 66-1149 Ancestry Record 62308 #261071954
16. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942: The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (4th Registration) For the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147 Ancestry Record 1002 #13797395
17. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #62410797
18. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3144880/ulysses_s-thompson: accessed May 2, 2024), memorial page for Ulysses S -Slow Kid- Thompson (28 Aug 1888–17 Mar 1990), Find A Grave: Memorial #3144880, citing Little Rock National Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by RHuff (contributor 47644647).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q22234426