Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 10.djvu/153

 THOMPSON

THOMPSON

active competition with other industrial enter- prises of the same nature. This system remained in successful operation at the Worcester Poly- technic school and was adopted by a number of other similar institutions. He was president of the Rose Polytechnic institute, Terre Haute, Ind., from its opening, March 7, 1883, until his death, when he was succeeded by Thomas Corwin Men- denhall (q.v.). Prior to the organization of this school he made in Europe a further study of tech- nical education. He received the honorary de- gree of Pli.D. from Dartmouth, 1879, and from Williams, 1880; and was a member of the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the American Antiquarian Society of Worcester, Mass., and of other scientific and literary socie- ties. He is the author of: Hints Totvard a Pro- fession of Teaching (address, 1867), Manual Labor and School Work Combined (with Andrew D, White, 1870); Industrial Dratcing (address, 1871); Manual Training in the Public Schools (1884); Modern Polytechnic Schools (1883); Robert Boyle, a Study in Biography (1882), and Revieiv of Re- ports of British Royal Committee on Technical Instruction (with notes, 1885). Memorials of Dr. Thompson were published by the American Anti- quarian society; the Terre Haute Literary club; the Rose Polytechnic institute (1885), and the Worcester Polytechnic school (1885). He died in Terre Haute. Ind., March 17, 18S5.

THOMPSON, (Charles) Vance, author and playwright, was born in Janesville, Wis., April 17, 1SG3: son of the Rev. Dr. Charles Lemuel and Mary (Boyd) Thompson, and grandson of Aaron and Christina Julia (?) (Forbes) Thompson. He was graduated from the College of New Jersey, A.B., 1883; studied in the University of Jena, Germany, and after his return, went to Chicago, 111., and was engaged in journalistic work. Coming to New York he was a special writer for the 2Iail and Express; dramatic critic of the Commercial Advertiser, and was also connected with the Musical Courier. In 1895, with James G. Huneker, he founded Mile Neiv York, a fort- nightly review, which he conducted, 1895-96; he also founded the Whitechapel club of Chicago, 111., and in 1900 took up his residence in Paris, acting as foreign correspondent for the New York Evening Post. He was married, July 27, 1890, to Lillian Spencer of Pittsburg, Pa. He is the author of: Berwyn Kennedy; The City of Torches; A Flash of Honor; Writers of Young France; French Portraits (1899); Spinners of Life (1903), and of the plays: In Old Japan (1897); The Dresden Shepherdess (1898); Hie Japanese Doll, and Florine's Dream.

THOMPSON, Daniel Pierce, author, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Oct. 1, 1795; grandson of

Daniel Thompson, of Woburn, Mass., who was a cousin of Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford). He passed his boyhood on a farm, attended and taught school, and was graduated from Middle- bury college, Vermont, 1820. He was subse- quently a tutor in Virginia; was admitted to the bar, 1823, and began practice in Montpelier, Vt. He was register of probate, 1824; clerk of the state legislature, 1830-33 and 1834-36; judge of probate for Washington county, 1837-40 and 1841- 42; clerk of the county court, 1843-45, and of the supreme court and also secretaiy of state, 1853-55. He compiled the laws of Vermont from 1824 to 1834; edited the Green Mountain Freeman, 1849- 56, and was an advocate of anti-masonry. In addition to several lectures and orations, he is the author of: The Adventures of Timothy Peacock, Esq.; or Freemasonry Practically Illustrated, under the pen-name of " A Member of the Ver- mont Bar" (1835); May Martin; or, the Money- Diggers, a prize story written originally for the Neiv England Galaxy (1835); The Green Moun- tain Boys (1840); Locke Anisden; or, the School- master (1845); Lucy Hosnier (1848); The Rangers (1851); Tales of the Green Mountains (1852); Gaut Gurley (1857); The Doomed Chief (1860); History of Montpelier, 17 S 1-1860, loitli Biograph- ical Sketches (1860); Cenfeola, and other Tales (1864); The Honest Lawyer, or the Fair Castaicay, (unfinished MS.), and of several historical and biographical monographs. He died in Mont- pelier, Vt., June 6, 1868.

THOnPSON, David P., governor of Idaho Ter- ritory, was born in Cadiz, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1834. He was educated in the public schools; worked on railroad surveys, and served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade until 1853, when he went to Oregon City, Ore. He served for some years as compassman on the U.S. survey work of Oregon and Washington territories; was a mem- ber of the Oregon volunteers, 185.5-56, and cap- tain of the 1st Oregon cavalry, 1861-63, engaging in service against the Indians. He was married, in 18G1, to Mary K., daughter of John and. Susan Meldrum. He built the first railroad in Oregon; was president of the Oregon Woolen mills, 1866- 68; a state senator from the twelfth district, 1866-72, and in the latter year served as U.S. surveyor and assigner of the Indian reservations in Oregon Territory. He was governor of Idaho Territory, by appointment from President Grant, 1874-76, and subsequently engaged as a con- tractor in Portland, Oregon, becoming president of the Oregon Construction Co., and as such building many important railways. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1878. 1882 and 1889; mayor of Portland, 1880-82; a presi- dential elector on the Blaine and Logan ticket, 1884; Republican candidate for governor of Ore-