Joseph C. Thompson (1826 - 1893)

Born 13 Sep 1826 in Blairsville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania

Died 20 Aug 1893 at age 66 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Joseph C. Thompson - The professions are well represented in Quincy by men of culture and practical knowledge skill in their various callings. Among those whose abilities are widely recognized and who are numbered among the most prominent at attorneys at law of the city is Joseph C. Thompson. His professional skill is recognized by who have at any time been his clients as as by the general public and has been the means of securing for him a great many cases where legal acumen and extensive knowledge have been necessary in order to attain success.

The grandfather of our subject, John Thompson, traced his ancestry to Scotland and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The parents of our subject, Joseph and Maria Culbertson Thompson were natives of Pennsylvania where they their entire lives dying in Indiana County. The father followed the occupation of a carpenter and was a man of honor and industrious habits family consisted of eleven children six sons and five daughters one of whom died in infancy and six still survive.

The fifth child in the family is Joseph C. who was born in Blairsville, Pa, September 18, 1826 passed his youth in his native county and during the winter seasons attended the common schools which were held in buildings of primitive construction and rudely funished with slab seats and desks. At the age of nineteen he commenced teaching and was thus engaged for two winters.

Mr. Thompson commenced to read law with Lawrence T. Smith at Lebanon, Ohio and continued thus engaged until the fall of 1847 when he came. West with his uncles Samuel and Isaac Culbertson who had a contract to build a lock dam across the Wabash River two miles north of Mt Carmel, Ind. Our subject remained as manager and book keeper for his uncles whom he aided until the completion of their work Then returning to Lebanon Ohio he attended school for two years and afterward followed the profession of teacher for one year in Butler County, Ohio.

After attending the law school at Bloomington Monroe County, Ind for two years. Mr. Thompson was admitted to the Bar at Anderson, Ind in the year 1854 and opened an office for practice there. One year later he removed to Franklin Johnson County Ind where he practiced law for about two years removing thence to Macomb, Ill and there followed his profession until 1868. In the summer of that year, he came to Quincy where he opened a law office and conducted a general practice at the same time superintending a farm for ten years.

In local State and National politics, Mr. Thompson takes an active part and is a pronounced Democrat at all times giving his party substantial support. He was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of Judge of Adams County and served in that position for four years to the satisfaction of the people. In 1862 he was a member of the constitutional convention which was voted down by the people and while residing in McDonough County, served as School Commissioner for one term In his views he is broad and sensible and all plans for forwarding the material interests of the county find favor with him.

The lady who became the wife of Mr Thompson bore the maiden name of Emeline P. Eells, and was at the time of her marriage a resident of Knox County, II though her native State was Vermont. She is the daughter of Truman Eells, native of Vermont now deceased. Three were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, one of whom a lovely young lady by the name of

• Hattie, died when eighteen years old.

The others are

• Culbertson S.
• Joseph E.

The family residence is situated on the corner of Sixth and Maine Streets. Thompson has attained a position of prominence in the community by his unaided energy and ability. He has ever been generous in his dealings and has given liberally of his means to the suffering and poor. Honorable in his actions intelligent and courteous he is deservedly popular among the people of the Gem City.^[1]

Postmaster Thompson Passes Away Sunday Afternoon THREE WEEKS OF SUFFERING

His Death a Sad Shock to the Community —A Brief Biographical Sketch of the Deceased — Positions of Honor and Trust Held by Him—The Funeral This Forenoon

Postmaster Thompson is dead. The end came shortly before 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, when he peacefully and quietly passed away. For three weeks he has been confined to his home suffering intense pain from an abscess of the bladder. Last Thursday a surgical operation was performed in the hope of saving his life, but the hope was in vain. His system, racked and weakened by pain, could not stand the shock, and his death came not unexpectedly. To him the grim messenger was a welcome relief from agonizing torture. He was conscious up to within a short time of the end, and quietly gave some directions in regard to the funeral. It was his wish that the funeral be without display, and that the burial be private. His death removes a man who for a quarter of a century has been a familiar figure in Quincy, having come to this city in 1868. He was 68 years of age, but time had left its mark lightly upon him, and he was generally regarded as much younger. Of sturdy character and rugged honesty, he was faithful to all trusts, and was universally respected. Politically he was a staunch democrat, and had always taken an active part in advancing his party's cause. But there was nothing of the demagogue in his democracy, and his open and straightforward advocacy of the theories of his party compelled the respect of political friends and foes alike. He had held several positions of trust and honor. He was a school commissioner, in McDonough county, serving one term of four years. He was appointed postmaster last May by President Cleveland, but had little more than enough time to fully acquaint himself with the duties of the office before he was taken down with his fatal illness. Personally he was popular with everybody who knew him, and his recognized abilities as a lawyer and sterling integrity as a man commanded the respect of the whole community. He was a member of Bodley lodge, No. 1, A. F. and A.M.

Joseph C. Thompson was born in Blairsville, Indiana county, Penn., Sept. 18,1826. When he was 10 years old his parents moved onto a farm, and there he grew up to manhood. At the age of 20 he came to Mt. Carmel , Ill., as bookkeeper for an uncle who had a government contract. He remained there about a year, then went back, to Pennsylvania, and the next year attended school at Lebanon, O. Then he taught school a term there, and then studied law at Bloomington, Ind. Graduating, he first located at Andersonville, Ind., then moved to Franklin, Ind., and in 1856 moved to Macomb, Ill. He lived there for twelve years, or until 1868 when he came to Quincy, and has ever since practiced his profession here. He was married in 1856 to Miss Amelia P. Eells, who was born in Vermont. Two sons, S. Culbertson and Joseph, the latter now in Montana, survive him. He had a daughter, Hattie, who died some twelve years ago.

The funeral will be held at the residence, 119 1/2 North Sixth street, at 10 o'clock this morning. Friends of the family are invited to attend the services. The burial will be private. The body will be laid away in the family lot in Woodland.

By authority of the first assistant postmaster general, the post office will be closed from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., during the hour of the funeral services of Judge Thompson.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Portrait and biographical record of Adams County, Illinois, 1892, page 232
2. ↑ Quincy Daily Whig, Aug. 22, 1893

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178331391/joseph-c-thompson