Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-30
Death Of . Veteran Educator.
THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF JOHN =. THoM

THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF JOHN =. THoMF
Mr.. John z. Thompson, whose dangerous I'll
ness has been noted in THE STAR, died yester
day at l:So pm. Of disease OF the liver and ner
vous prostration. Mr.. Thompson was born neal
Romney, w. Va, in 1923, and came 10 this city
with his parents when he was three years old
His father, the late William Thompson. and hb
mother are both remembered by old citizens q
successful teachers of private schools. Later nj.
father was employed upon the National in,etts
Qencer, and afterwards published weekly pa
per, styled the Saturday Ne,rs. For many years
and up TO the time of his death, he held the 20
sition OF magistrate with much credit His son
John Z. Thompson, entered upon his career A.
q teacher in lS41, shortly after the city was al
vided into four school divisions and when the
schools wsrs In their M TaSias We
OF the second district school. then located IN
what Is now known as Judiciary Square. Mr.
from the start, and the following year he was
appointed teacher Of the fourth district, which
position he held for over twenty years, when ne
OF supervising principal OF the fourth division
position he held until his resigna: ton last DC
soosr; During thi: long period OF nearly i9Tay
schools he held the very nrst rank as pracu
cal educator who could make bis pupils un'
derstand thoroughly the principles of theil
studies aside from mere parrot-like Gecitations
The result has been that a large number OF oui
BEST citizens owe their success In business and
is sS ans
The roll Of those who graduated nom the
fourth district grammar school under his tutor
deeeased BS,nsicn scb rSgsin ecsased
Amery deceased, Bowen and Crook. Also Prof
Franklin, OF Johns Hopkins University, Balti.
WWGne g. nslp55in DAVIS professor at at
Sioux Falls, Dakota), and Joseph Talk inow q
teacher), who won college scholarships, and
school-the Grays, Thompsons, Gunnells, Pear
sops, Polkinhorns. Lees W. Acker and In fact
members ofall the leading families that have
resided In South Washington.
Mr.. Thompson may be said TO be the father OF
the cooperative system Of building associations
here. Over twenty years ago, learning of theii
time to their study In New York, Philadelphia
and other northern cities; Returning TO this
city, he established the old Washington Co
operative association, which proved TO be sc
much of q success that the same system Is con
As stated above, Mr.. Thompson resigned the
then In declining health. He, however, kepl
up till January 9th last, when he was forced &c
remaIn indoors. His physicians, DIS; Hsgn ,s
About three weeks ago, Mr.. Thompson, find
.as end seem for
and quietly awaited the summons. A week age
yesterday he became unconscious and remained
bne nth aestS w If
two daughters-his only son being absent in the
government service In Dakota-were at bis
death bed.
The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving
the house at 1870 I'm. The services viii be held
at All Souls Unitarian Church, conducted by
Rev. DR.. r. r. Shipper, the pastor, and Rev. DIR.
G: G. Meador, of the Fifth Baptist Church, south
Washington. The pall-bearers will be on the
part OF the ex-trustees: Messrs. w. ], stephen.
son and George White; on the part of the friends,
c. 8. Noyes and Nj. w. Calf; and on the part OF
the supervising principals OF the public schools,
B. T. Janney, OF the 9Th division, and A. T. Stu.
art, Of the Sd division. The funeral will be
under the charge OF Mr.. w. II. Lee, one OF his
old pupils, and the interment be made AT the
Congressional cemetery.
The teachers of the fourth district and the
board ofschool trustees will hold meetings this
afternoon to take action respecting Mr.. Thomp-
sons death. All the schools will be closed to-
morrow.
AS teacher and as supervising principal. Mr..
Thompson won the love and esteem of al his
fellow-workers In the educational field by the
sympathetic interest he always manifested In
their welfare, and his readiness on every occa.
sion to aid and encourage them in their arduous
labors. Ills sick room during his illness has
been filled with tributes OF their affection in
the shape Of beautiful flowers, choice fruits,
and every delicacy that could tempt the invalid
appetite.