Bartholomew-Scott-Jennings County IN Archives Biographies.....Thompson, D. A. 1844 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 8:19 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) D. A. THOMPSON, M. D. The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily won, and has attained wealth by honorable methods, acquired the highest reputation in his chosen calling by merit and whose social prominence is not the less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. We pay the highest tribute to the heroes who, on bloody battle-fields, win victories and display a valor that is the admiration of the world. Why should the tribute be withheld from those who wage the bloodless battles of business? Greater than in almost any line of work is the responsibility that rests upon the physician. The issues of life and death are in his hands. A false prescription, an unskilled operation may take from man that which he prizes above all else—life. The physician's power must be his own; not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the very rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually add to his knowledge by close study and earnest application and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain the highest prominence it must come as the result of superior skill, knowledge and ability, and these qualifications are possessed in an eminent degree by Dr. Thompson, who has for a number of years successfully practiced his profession in Elizabethtown. The Doctor was born in Scott county, Indiana, on the 26th of June, 1844, his parents being E. M. and Martha J. (Hughes) Thompson. The father was born near Boston, Massachusetts, and when a small boy accompanied his parents to Madison, Indiana, the grandfather owning the land upon which the city of Madison now stands. He secured it from the government and for a time engaged in farming. Afterward he laid out his farm into lots and sold them as the growth of the city demanded. For a long period he occupied the position of justice of the peace, his decisions adding lustre to a well-earned reputation. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and was held in universal esteem. He there died of smallpox. E. M. Thompson, the father of the Doctor, was born in the year 1816, and received no educational privileges save what he gained through his own efforts. He became a mechanic, millwright and carpenter and his life was one of marked industry and enterprise. Successfully he carried on this work for many years, his labors bringing to him financial return until he was the owner of a farm and two mills. Emigrating to Bartholomew county, he spent his last days in Columbus, where his widow is now living at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Unto this worthy couple were born three sons and four daughters and the sons and two of the daughters are yet living. The family record is as follows: Sarah, deceased ; Emeline, the wife of Rev. P. L. Ryker, of Michigan; Minnie, the wife of B. F. Cadby, of Columbus, Indiana: Oliver N., a carpenter, of Indianapolis; William H., a rural route postman, and the Doctor. In his early youth Dr. Thompson was largely employed in his father's mill and shop, thus becoming familiar with the two branches of business. He secured his education in the graded schools of Scipio, Indiana, where he was graduated. Having formed a desire to become a physician, he became a student in the office of Dr. D. H. Van Nuys, continuing his reading with Dr. John L. Roe, and spent the winter of 1866-7 in the medical department of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He was graduated, however, in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, with the class of March 2, 1868. Dr. Thompson located in Butlerville, Jennings county, Indiana, where he remained for a year, removing to Forest Hill, Decatur county. In 1874 he came to Elizabethtown, where he has remained, covering a period of thirty consecutive years. He has enjoyed a satisfactory practice and has long maintained a foremost position in the ranks of the profession in the county. He has kept prepared to meet the difficult demands upon him by continued study and investigation, so that he has kept thoroughly informed in the progress of medical research. In 1866 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Martha Klapp, a native of Jennings county, Indiana, and a graduate of the Western College at Oxford, Ohio. Completing her course, she subsequently engaged in teaching in the schools of Bartholomew county, attaining a high standing as an educator. She is a lady of culture and refinement and occupies an enviable position in social and religious circles. Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born two daughters: Mabel, who is a graduate of the State University, of the class of 1898, and is now principal of the schools of Elizabethtown, and Inez, who was graduated in DePauw University on the completion of a course in pharmacy and is now at home. The mother and daughters are members of the Presbyterian church in Elizabethtown. The Doctor belongs to James Moffat Post, No. 223, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has served as commander for a number of years. He is entitled to membership in this organization because of his military service in the Civil war. He enlisted in September, 1861, as a musician in the band of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry, with which he served for one year. Because of disability he is the recipient of a handsome pension. He is a stanch Republican and when opportunity affords never fails to support by ballot the men and measures of the party. Dr. Thompson is a social, genial gentleman, interested in all that pertains to the public welfare. He has a large circle of intimate friends, and his friendship is most prized by those who know him best. In his professional capacity he is extensively known and his reputation ranks him among the foremost representatives of the calling in this part of the state. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/thompson722gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb