The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-05-12
Judge Thomas Thomson.

Hon. Thomas Thomson, Of Abbeville,
Judge of the 9Th Circuit, died Of heart
disease at his residence in Abbcyille at
half past six o'clock on Thursday after
noon last, after confinement 10 his bed
Of only few hours. We take from the
Charleston NcUg and Courirr the follow.
ing sketch OF his life:
The news Of the death Of Judge Thorn
~ Thomson, of Abbeyille, was wholly
unexpected. There Was no illness or
loss OF mental yigor TO prepare the pub
lie for the loss OF one whose career was
marked by eminent talent in his profcs.
sion, BY gallant service during the Con.
federate war, aud, in every relation Of
life, by sturdy modest worth. Not eiiu-
sive or impulsivc, he was amiablc to
those whom he liked, and firm friend
of those whom he trusted.
Judge Thomson was born in Scotland
on June 5, 1913 and went to Abbeville,
South Carolina, in his early youth
After he grew up he taught school for "A
time, and studied law under the Hon.
Armistead Burt. For many years lie was
associated with Col. Robert A. Fair in the
practice of his profession, the name of
the lirnl being Thomson q Fair At the
bar he stood descrvedly high, his tastes
causing him to prefer civil practice.
There WAS no lack Of substantial rccogni-
ton Of his ability. and lie amasscd sufi
cient to make him independent Of the
chances Of the future In Abbeyille
district lie had his home until the cnd.
There he made his reputation and there.
in consequence, he was best known.
In 1876 Judge Thomson was elected :.
member OF the State Legislature, distin-
gushing himself there by the cogency
and brcvity of his uttcrances. With the
exception of two terms, he served contin-
uously as Representative and afterwards
as Senator until 1868. When the State
scceded, exchanging the gown for the
sword, he went into service Us captain Of
Il company from Abbcvillc in the Second
Regiment of Rifles, rising step by step to
the rank of Colonel. 1t cannot be
said that he was remarkably skillful
officer, but his bravery WAS everywhere
conspicuous. Upon his election is State
Senator in 1862, Judge Thomson resigned
his commission in the army.
lie was a member of the Co.opcration
Convention in 1851, and as member of
the Secession Convention in 1860, signed
the Ordinance of Secession. From the
time of the dissolution of the State Gov
ernment, prior to Reconstruction, he
remained iii private life until February,
1878, when he was elected, by the Gen
cral Assembly, Judge Of the Eighth
Judicial Circuit, receiving l37 Of the 139
votes cast. The next month he was
elected judge Of the Court Of Claims,
before which the issues involving the
validity Of portion of the State debt
were tried. Judge Thomson delivered
the opinion Of the Court, sustaining gem
orally the report Of the Bond Commits
sion.
Judge Thomson wns at one time, under
the old judicial system, prominent can
dicate for Chancellor, and came very
near an election. When the General
Assembly was called on to elect Circuit
Judges in 1878, Judge Thomson was
looked upon us the man OF all men to
place upon the bench. That he did not
come up to the level Of the highest
expectations Of the bar. in the dispatch OF
business, WAS no reflection upon his
integrity, or his Knowledge of the law.
Judge Thomson WAS M elder of the
Presbyterian Church, enjoying the fullest
confidence Of his associates. The office
OF Treasurer of the De La Howe rund
he held for many years, and managed to
protect it and keep it intact during the
Radical era in South Carolina. Judge
Thomson was married, and leaves four
children.