Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1899-02-23
Death OF DR.. j. Il, Thompson.

! Death Of DIR. j. II. Thompson.
| Rev. J. II. Thompson, who resigned
the pastorate of the Aberdeen Presbyter-
ian church to go with the Washington
volunteers as chaplain, died at Manila,
last Sunday, of acute dysentry. The in
formation of the death was telegraphed
to Governor Rogers, who at once sent a
special message to the legislature asking
that body to honor the memory of the
deceased clergyman by appropriate re-
solution, which was done.
DR.. Thompson was one OF the best
best known ministers Of the gospel in
the state and one OF the most energetic of
the pioneer missionaries and public
spirited men. Rev. John Roddick
Thompson was born, of Scottish parents,
in England in 1888, while his parents
were or their way to Prince Edwards
Island to make their home, and where
he grew to manhood amid the hardships
incident to pioneering in that country ut
that early day. With natural taste for
study he prepared himself for college
and entered Queens university, in On
tario, Canada, from whence he gradu-
ated in 1865, with the highest honors.
With long line of presbyterian ances-
tors it was not strange that he early &c
velopcd liking for the ministry, and
upon his graduation he entered upon
theological course in the same university
graduating therefrom in 1868. He was
licensed to preach in the same year
having then had five years experience in
evangelist work, and took his first charge
in Halifax. In 1870 he received a call
from the little pioneer church at Olym-
pa, Washington, where he arrived on
July 8, after the wearisome journey that
it then required to reach Puget Sound
from the Atlantic coast, and at once en-
tered upon the discharge of the duties OF
his charge, which at that time, included
missionary work all over the then terri
tory Of Washington and Northern Idaho.
During the thirteen years of his pastor
ate in this field he built large number
Of churches and educational institutions,
among which may be mentioned the
Presbyterian church at Hoquiam and
the Academy building at Montesano, in
this county.
Dr.. Thompson, although busy man
in church affairs, always took an active
part in public matters. He was one Of
the founders and senior vice.president Of
the Academy Of Sciences Of Washington !;
served as chaplain of the territorial leg
islature for several terms and exerted a
strong influence upon proper legislation
in territorial days. He aided in the
establishment Of the school for defective
youth and served for long time as a
member OF the board Of trustees; was u
member OF the territorial board Of educa-
ton and helped to draft the best school
law on the territorial statutes.
In 1887 he represented Clarke, Lewis
and CowiItz counties in the upper house
Of the legislature and WAS chosen presi-
dent Of that BODY, which position he
filed with distinguished honor. When
volunteers we're called for the Spanish
war, he felt that duty called him and he
resigned the pastorste OF the Aberdeen
Presbyterian church to volunteer his
services as chaplain. He WAS appointed
by Gov. Rogers but owing to his age and
lameness, a special order from the war
department was necessary before he
could be mustered into the service. This
was readily secured and he went to
Manila with the Washington troops to
meet his death in the harness he had so
long and faithfully worn.