Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1901 — Death of David J. Thompson. [ARTICLE]

Death of David J. Thompson.

David J. Thompson died at just eight o’clock last Friday morning, July 12tb, 1901, at his room at the Comer House. Although it was known generally that he was very seriously and probably fatally sick, yet as no statement of his actual condition had been given to the public, his death so soon will come as a pain ful surprise to the great majority of his friends and acquaintances. He was in visibly failing health all winter, and on March 20th took to his bed, with a severe and as it proved protraoted case of iritermittent fever. After this was broken up be had a severe reourence of bronchitis, tb which be had long been subjected, and this with its consequent cbughing reduced his strength until recovery was impossible. His health has never been robust since the civil war, he having been, from the fall of 1861 to the spring of 1864, a Union prisoner of war in various Confederate prisons; and his health being permanently undermined by the hardships then endured. His age was 64 years 10 months and 1 day. He was never married. He died a 82nd degree Mason, in full standing, and a member of all intervening Masonic bodies. He was also a Past Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, of Indiana. His funeral was held Sunday evening, at 6 o’olock, at the residence of his brother, Judge S. P. Thompson, on Work street, It was under the direction of Prairie Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and according to the Masonic burial ritual. Rev. C. D. Royse conducted the religious services. Obituary. DAVID J. THOMPSON. David and Eliza (MoCoy) Thompson moved from Starke county, Ohio to Orange Township, Hancock county, Ohio on September 11 1888. Just three years after this, David J. Thompson was born being the first white child born in said township. He died at Rensselaer, Indiana, at Ba. m. July 12, 1901. David lived on the farm, went to the oommon schools, and taught until the war commenced. He enlisted at Oberlin College, in the spring of 1861, in company C, 7th, O. V. I. He was taken prisoner near Cross Lanes, in Virginia, shortly after he had re-enlisted from the three months service; was imprisoned in Richmond, New Orleans and Salsbury, until exchanged in 1864; re-enlisted in 191st Ohio V. 1., and was appointed regimental quartermaster, serving until the close of the war; after* the war conducted a book store in Columbus, Ohio, until 1878 where he has many warm friends. In 1873 he moved to Rensselaer Indiana, and was a member of Thompson & Bro. until 1896. David made his residence at Rensselaer until his death; but traveled in all parts of the United States, spending muoh time in the South, in North Michigan and Colifoinia; was never married, but was a kind friend to all young people. David was one of ten ohildren, who with their parents dined at one table on Christmas in 1858. All are now gone except Isaac, living near the old homestead, age 78, and Simon, living at Rensselaer aged 63. David took siok with remittent fever on March 20th, and did not leave his bed until his death. Sinoe his army experience he has suffered muoh with rheumatic, and bronohial affections. David was a model citizen, and kind to all. A large oirole of relatives live at Rensselaer, including the families of three brothers,

Alfred, Simon and Thomas, also the McCoys, Kanuals and HolliDgsworfhs. One nephew, a son of his sister Elizabeth, Linneas W. Martin, lives at Wauhoo, Nebraska, Dora Bowman, daughter of bis brother Hiram, lives at Ada Ohio. The children of his brother Isaac live at Bluffton, Ohio.