Greenbrier County, West Virginia    Biography: John Poindexter THOMASSON

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Transcribed and submitted by Ed Johnson, <EDEAJ @aol.com>, 1998.
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JOHN POINDEXTER THOMASSON - was born November 5, 1842, on Elk fork,
in Jackson County, Virginia.  His father was Pleasant Hiter THOMASSON,
who was born in Pendleton County, (then) Virginia, in 1818, a son of
John P. and Nancy (HANCOCK) THOMASSON, who lived and died in what is
now Roane County, West Virginia.  The Thomassons were of English descent.
P. H. THOMASSON married Emma Jane RADER, who was born in Jackson County
in 1820, but living in Greenbrier County.  In 1865, the subject of this
sketch came from Roane County to Greenbrier County, and here his wedded
life began, Margaret Ann KNAPP becoming his wife at her father's residence
near Lewisburg, on the 5th of May, 1875.  Her parents are still living
here, George Lewis KNAPP, born near Lewisburg, and Amanda (WESTFALL)
KNAPP, born in Nicholas County and coming to this county when a child.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. THOMASSON have three children:  Rosa Emma, May 19,
1876;  George Everette, November, 1877;  Lulu Josephine, January, 1880.
John P. THOMASSON entered the Confederate service July 4, 1861, serving
first as a private of Company G, 60th Virginia Infantry under "Stonewall"
Jackson, in the battles of Cedar Creek, Winchester and the Seven Days
Fight at Richmond.  At the last-named conflict he was obliged to fight
with his bayonet, hand to hand with the enemy, and was made lieutenant
on the field for personal bravery.  A company of sharpshooters chose him
for their captain and with that rank he served through the remainder of
the war.  Twice his personal bravery and decision saved his company from
destruction, although they acted, under his command, contrary to the
orders of the battalion commander.  He was wounded October 19, 1862,
at the battle of Cedar Creek, in the ankle, and being unable to move
fast was captured.  His captor ordered him to move faster, and on his
refusal, shot him, and the ball just grazed his temple.  He fell, and
was ordered to get up, which he did but would not move faster, so his
captor left him.  He was again made captive, at a later date, and made
his escape.  James Monroe THOMASSON, brother of John P., served in the
Confederate army from 1863 to the close of the war.  After the war
John P. THOMASSON settled in Greenbrier County and is farming and
milling, a good farmer and  a thorough miller.  Williamsburg, Greenbrier
County, West Virginia, is his post office address.

Source:  Hardesty, Henry H.  Hardesty's Historical and Geographical
Encyclopedia.  New York: H.H. Hardesty and Company, 1884.
Rpt. in West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia.  Ed. Jim Comstock.
Richwood: Comstock, 1974.