THOMPSON, Charles J., St. Landry Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 577-578. Edited by Alc e Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. Thompson, Charles J., superintendent of schools of St. Landry parish, La., was born at Opelousas, La., March 22, 1850; son of Charles and Eleanor (Larkin) Thompson, the former of whom was a native of St. Charles, Mo., and moved from that place to Opelousas with his parents in the year 1826, when he was 8 years of age. He afterward operated successively as a farmer in that vicinity, town marshal and as a land and live stock dealer. His death occurred in April, 1876. The mother was a native of Opelousas, and died during the Civil war. The paternal grandfather, William Thompson, first came to Opelousas in 1819. He served as captain of a light horse cavalry company in the War of 1812. His wife's maiden name was Ellen Hensley. Her father was of English ancestry, and served in the Revolutionary army. Charles J. Thompson is at this time the only living representative of his family, except a half-sister. He received his earlier education at the public schools, of Opelousas, following which he was for a time a student at St. Mary's academy. Afterward he was instructed by Rev. C. A. Frazee, who taught a private school, during a period of 3 years. In 1868 he entered the state university, then located near Pineville, and remained a student at that institution 4 years, the university being moved to Baton Rouge in 1869, after its destruction by fire in October of that year. When his education had been completed he became chief deputy under Sheriff Egbert O. Hayes, of St. Landry parish, and after having discharged the duties of this office for a time, took charge of a district school at Big Cane, La., where he taught 3 years. At the close of the third year in this latter capacity, he moved onto a farm, or plantation, on Bayou Boeuf, and there remained about 15 years. In 1889 his first wife died on the plantation. Two years later he sold out the plantation, and in Dec., 1891, moved back to Opelousas. In this location he organized the Opelousas Compress Co., and built and operated the Opelousas compress for 3 years as manager. He disposed of his interest in the compress, was elected mayor for 3 terms. He resigned the office of mayor at the beginning of his third term, and afterwards became chief deputy sheriff in March, 1901, under Sheriff M. L. Swords, in which capacity he served until Aug. 25, 1904, when he was elected superintendent of the public schools of St. Landry parish, and has remained in that position up to the present time, his term of office expiring in July, 1917. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Methodist church, and is affiliated with the fraternal order of the Knights of Pythias, being a Past Chancellor Commander. In 1874 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Mary E. Glaze, who died Nov. 21, 1889. Dec. 2, 1891, Mr. Thompson was married to Mrs. Lelia (Lott) Randall, of Mobile, Ala., a daughter of E. B. and Mary Elizabeth (Swain) Lott, both of whom are now deceased. Ma. Lott occupied the office of tax collector at Mobile during 35 years. Four children, one of whom is now deceased, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. The 3 surviving children are as follows: Bradford L., now private secretary to the president and an assistant professor in Gulfport military school; Ruth and Joseph Arthur, the 2 last-named being now in high school. Mr. Thompson took an active part in bringing about the building of the new high school at Opelousas.