Vigo County Historical Society

Civil War Days continues at Historical Museum

Col. Richard W. Thompson was born in Virginia on June 9, 1809. He was of Scot-Irish origin and both his grandparents served in the War of Independence. His mother died when he was 10 and his father remarried a grandniece of George Washington.

At age 20 he left home and came to Indiana. After founding and teaching at Lawrence Seminary, he acquired a law library, studied law for three years, was admitted to the Bar in 1834 and set up his law practice and residence in Terre Haute. On May 5, 1836, he married Harriet Gardiner of Columbus, Ohio, who bore him eight children.

Thompson was a born orator and wrote brilliantly. He was elected a Whig in the Indiana Legislature, re-elected in 1835 and 1836, and then went on to serve in the State Senate. He served as lieutenant governor and was elected to Congress in 1841. He held the commission of captain and was a judge in the circuit court. He was bestowed the title of "colonel" and was always referred to in this manner.

Thompson befriended many powerful men of his time including Abraham Lincoln, with whom he became very close. During the Civil War, he was appointed provost marshal in raising troops and at the end of the war, he served as Collector of Internal Revenue. In 1877 he was called to serve as Secretary of the Navy under President Hayes. He resigned from the Navy to take charge of the Panama Canal Co. He also served as a general counsel for the Vandalia Railroad Co. for 25 years.

Always an advocate for progress and education, Thompson served on the board of trustees of Indiana State Normal School and Rose Polytechnic Institute.

After a brief illness, he died on Feb. 9, 1900, just four months before his 91st birthday.

Civil War Days on the grounds of the Historical Museum, continues today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A full schedule of activities is planned.