Oxford Democrat., 1910-03-29
Capt. Joseph Paine Thompson,

Capt. Joseph Paine Thompson of Low
ell, Mass, former register of deeds for
the Northern District of Middlesex
County, that state, died suddenly We'd
nesday afternoon, March 2 at the state
asylum for insane at Worcester. In the
afternoon be was reported in fairly good
physical condition when examined by
the physician at the institution, but,
when, few minutes later, the physician
returned, he found him in a stupor, and
death resulted later in the afternoon.
Capt. Thompson was born in Brown
field, Me-, April II, 1880, and received
his early education in the public schools
of that town until IA years of age, when
he went TO work upon farm, which
occupation he followed, with the ex-
ception of period one summer when he
was employed at brick making, until Is
years old. In 1S49 he went to Lowell,
Mass, and worked for the Middlesex
Corporation for 10 months, at the end of
which time he secured position as
clerk in the clothing store of Addison
Putnam in Lowell, where he remained
for seven years, leaving the employ of
Nj Putnam 10 engage in business in
Lowell on his own account. In July,
1862, he enlisted in Company G, SD
Massachusetts Volunteers, being COM
missiOned as second lieutenant of the
company. His regiment went to Wash
ingtOn, and thence to Alexandria, doing
guard duty for two months. They join
ed Gen. Sigel at Fairfax Court House,
where they remained for a while in
camp. During this period Lieut.. Thomp-
son served as an aid on the staff of Gen.
Francis G. Barlow, commanding the
second brigade, third division, Eleventh
Army Corps. He was then promoted as
aid on the staff of the Third Division,
Gen. A. Won Steinert, and was at Gettys-
burg during the three days battle, be-
ing promoted marshal after the battle.
He went with Gen. HoOker's command
eleventh and Twelfth Corps) to the
Army Of West Alabama, and was ap-
pointed provost marshal at Alabama,
the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps being
merged into the Twelfth Corps. He
served as aid on the staff of Gen. Daniel
Butterfield, and was also with Gen.
Ward, Twelfth Corps, Third Division, at
Lookout Mountain aud Mission Ridge.
He was with Sherman at the siege of At
lanta and on his march to the sea.
After the war, upon the recommenda-
tion of Gen. Ward, Lieut.. Thompson
was brevetted captain by President
johnson for gallant and meritorious ser
vice. He was mustered out and honor
ably discharged from the army at Boston
in July, 1865.
After the war Capt. Thompson enter
ed the employ of a large clothing house
in Chicago. He later returned to Boston |
and secured position in the wholesale |
clothing house of Alanson W. Beard. |
In 1874 be was elected register OF deeds |
for the Northern District of Middlesex
County, position which he held till
April 6, 1909, when he resigned.
At Lowell Capt. Thompson was at one
time a member of the Board of Trade,
Sons and Daughters of Maine, Knights
of Pythias, Masons, Knights Templsr,
Odd Fellows, Union Veterans, and Post
AZ, G.. A. X. In 1855 he was married to
Miss Adelaide Billings, and one child,
William n. Thompson of Lowell, who
was born May s, 1867, was the result of
their union.
The funeral, which took place at ESQ
O'Clock in the afternoon of Saturday,
March 5, was held at Mr.. Thompson's
late home, 229 Pine Street, Lowell, Rev.
George F. Kenngott, pastor Of the Trim
itarisn Congregational church, and Rev.
George c. Wright of the organization
known as the Ministry-at-Large, officiat-
ing as clergymen. The bearers were
members of the G.. A. r. Burial was in
Lowell Cemetery, where "taps" were
sounded over the grave.