Legislator Details

Image of William G. Thompson
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-Grave.com 9/19/2024

William G. Thompson
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 52

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 7/23/1842
City: Lancaster, PA
County: Lancaster County, PA
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 7/20/1904
City: Yonkers, NY
County: Westchester County, NY
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date:
City: Princeton, NJ
County: Mercer County, NJ
Country: US
Cemetery: Princeton Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Adelaide Mary Brush, 1867; died 1875; children: Elizabeth Mary (Frelinghuysen), Sophia and Theodore F.; married Adele Campau, 1878

Number of Children: 1

Background

Religion:
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: lawyer, real estate
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
attended Amherst College and Columbia University Law School.

Biographical Sketch:
Son of John and Elizabeth Thompson. Enlisted for 3 months in 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 1861. Enlisted in Company C, Michigan 1st Lancer Cavalry Battalion, 12/9/1861. Regiment disbanded, 3/19/1862. Appointed aide-de-camp as a second lieutenant on staff of Gen. Gershom Mott, 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, 1862. Severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville, earning promotion to first lieutenant for gallantry on the battlefield, 5/1863. Unit mustered out, 1864. Located in Detroit to study in a law firm, 1866. Admitted to the bar, 1867. Served on Board of Estimates, 1873; as alderman, 1874–1875; and president of the Common Council. Delegate to the Republican National Convention; 1876, 1880. Mayor of Detroit, 1880-83.

Notable Facts:
Birth year varies by source: 1897 Manual says 1840; 1867 passport application says 1842; SAR application says 1840 Founded Detroit Wolverines, Detroit's first major league baseball team, 1881.

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Ninth Legislature, 1897-1898
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Cities and Villages , Judiciary , Liquor Traffic , Military Affairs , Railroads , Constitutional Amendments
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Wards 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 of the city of Detroit

Date Elected: 11/3/1896
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1897
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Single
Notes:
Thirty-Eighth Legislature, 1895-1896
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Elections , Federal Relations , Liquor Traffic , Military Affairs , Railroads , Select Committee on Congressional Apportionment
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Wards 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 of Detroit

Date Elected: 11/6/1894
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1895
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Widow/Widower
Notes:

Bibliography:

Manual 1895 p.556-7; Manual 1897 p.636; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portrait; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_G._Thompson ; USCen 1870,; US, Passport Appls, 1795-1925; US SAR MembAppls 1889-1970
View Bibliographical Sources