Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-04-17
MAJOR BENZ. THOMPSON.
Sketch of the Active and Useful Life Of One
Ofthe Most Widely Known of Early Set
tiers of MfnnesOta.

l
Ofthe Most Widely Known of Early Set
tiers of Minnesota.
| Major BENZ. Thompson "a widely known
early resident of Minnesota, who wa!
stricken with paralysis several months age
and has since been helpless and most of the
time unconscious, died at his home in this
city day before yesterday. The FOLLOWING
biographical sketch is furnished by gen
tleman who has been acquainted with
him for nearly thirty years:
Benjamin Thompson was born May r.
1913. at Penn's Manor, Bucks county,
Pennsylvania His parents were Quakers,
of Irish decent. Mr., Thompson during his
residence in his native State was largely
engaged in stock raising, being especially
fond of blooded horses. In 1912 he was
electeda member of the Pennsylvania
legislature and reelected in 1874 He
came to Minnesota in 1850, was largely
connected with our,frst railway projects,
and at one time was director in the st..
Paul & Pacific, now the st. Paul, Mime
apolis s. Manitoba railway. In 1852 he
was of great service in securing the as
sent of the Sioux Indians to amendments
made by the United States Senate
to the treaty made with them by Hon.
Alexander Ramsey and Luke Leffor the
extinguishment of the Indian title in
nearly all of Minnesota lying west of the
Mississippi river. In 1854 he was at Lee
Point, Lake Superior, where treaty was
made withHythe Chippewas for the ex.
tinguishment of their title to the northern
mn orf 0f hvdG tofn I-sv -
lake and the headwaters of the Missis-
sippi. With a portion Of the Chippewas
he had great influence which was used
in inducing them to favor the treaty.
During the Sioux outbreak in 1862 he was
at Fort Abercrombie, where, for three
weeks, he aided in its defense In 1868
he was appointed by President Lincoln
register of the United States land office
at Bayfield,, Wisconsin. In 1867 he
was appointed by Andrew Johnson United
States Indian agent for the Sisseton and
Wahpeton Sioux. Subsequently he was
engaged with Hon. James Smith, Jr., in
making treaty with the Northern Sioux
for portion of thier country, which was
necessary to the construction of the Nor
thern Pacific railroad. In 1864 he rem
dered great assistance to Col. Clark W.
Thompson at Washington, in making a
treaty with the Chippewas of the Mis-
sissippi, and the Pillager Indians. AS the
record at Washington will show, he also
aided in making several other treaties.
The Sioux Indians as well as the
Chippewas, had great confidence in his
judgment, and the utmost faith in his
He was one of the original proprietors
of Superior City, which place he first
visited in 1858. He also gave an addition,
to Bayfield,, Wisconsin. In 1857 he
ranked among the wealthy men of Min
nesota. At that time he was the owner
of large tracts of real estate, which his
unfailing belief in the future Of this Sec
ton induced him to hold during the long,
weary days of stagnation. Consequent
ly, he suffered with other old and enthu-
siastic settlers
For several years past Major Thompson
devoted the most of his time in aiding
Bishop Ireland in his great and success
full immigration movement.
On the 18th of May, 1859, he was united
with Miss Mary Stuart, native of Balti-
more, but then resident of St. Paul.
Several years ago he became member of
the Catholic church
Major Thompson was possessed of, and
at all times exhibited, the characteristics
of genial, kind hearted gentleman, eyer
ready in quaint, kindly way to do good
to others without questioning the cause
that made assistance necessary He has
occupied large and useful space in Min
nesota history, and will be long remem-
bered and deeply regretted by all who en-
joyed his personal acquaintance.