Idaho Territorial Governor. Born in Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, he began his adult life as a blacksmith. Later he learned the skills of a surveyor, and was employed by the railroads. In 1853 Thompson immigrated to Oregon, earning his way by herding sheep along the Oregon Trail. By his own recollection, Thompson walked the entire distance. Arriving in the Oregon Territory, he was again employed as a surveyor for both the railroads and the United States Land Office. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Thompson enlisted with the 1st Oregon Calvary, rising to the rank of Captain. Following his military service, he engaged in several successful business ventures, including mining, railroads and banking. In 1868 Thompson was elected to the first of two terms in the Oregon State Senate. In 1874, President Ulysses Grant appointed Thompson as the Governor of the Idaho Territory, holding the position from 1875 until 1876. After his time as Governor, Thompson was elected to three terms in the Oregon State House of Representatives. He was also elected to two terms as the Mayor of Portland, Oregon, serving from 1879 until 1882. In 1890 he was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon, but he lost the general election. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Thompson as the U.S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire. Thompson resigned this post in 1893, preferring to return to his business interests in Oregon. He died on December 14, 1901. Portland’s “Thompson Park” is named in his honor.
Idaho Territorial Governor. Born in Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, he began his adult life as a blacksmith. Later he learned the skills of a surveyor, and was employed by the railroads. In 1853 Thompson immigrated to Oregon, earning his way by herding sheep along the Oregon Trail. By his own recollection, Thompson walked the entire distance. Arriving in the Oregon Territory, he was again employed as a surveyor for both the railroads and the United States Land Office. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Thompson enlisted with the 1st Oregon Calvary, rising to the rank of Captain. Following his military service, he engaged in several successful business ventures, including mining, railroads and banking. In 1868 Thompson was elected to the first of two terms in the Oregon State Senate. In 1874, President Ulysses Grant appointed Thompson as the Governor of the Idaho Territory, holding the position from 1875 until 1876. After his time as Governor, Thompson was elected to three terms in the Oregon State House of Representatives. He was also elected to two terms as the Mayor of Portland, Oregon, serving from 1879 until 1882. In 1890 he was the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon, but he lost the general election. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Thompson as the U.S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire. Thompson resigned this post in 1893, preferring to return to his business interests in Oregon. He died on December 14, 1901. Portland’s “Thompson Park” is named in his honor.
Bio by: Ernest
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