Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-04-04
CEDAR RAPIDS MAN, WHO HAS
JUST DIED, PROMINENT IN
EARLY ACTIVITIES OF STATE.
MAJOR OF TWENTIETH IOWA,
sTuMPED STATE FOR LINCOLN
Elected to Many OFFICES and Never %.
fsatsd in Single candidaey-Judas
Thompson Served Twelve Years on
Bench. in Congress and in State
Legislature.
Special to Times-Republican.

Especial to Times Republican.
Cedar Rapids, April 4.-The late
Judge William G. Thompson, whose
death occurred Sunday evening, was
one Of the most unique characters In
Iowa politics. He was typical pio-
Pennsylvania, and stopped at Marion
only because he had not money enough
to carry him farther. Two weeks at
| ter he landed in Marion, he earned
his first money as an Iowa lawyer. He
had case In Justice court, which he
Won His fame then spread and he be-
came one of the most widely known
lawyers in the state within few
years. He was especially successful in
the handling Of criminal cases, and
during his lifetime defended twelve
alleged murderers only two Of whom
We're convicted.
Early Enters Politics.
Judge Thompson had not been in
Iowa long until he entered politics. He
was a delegate to the convention at
| Iowa City in 1854, when James w.
Grimes was nominated for governor
and the republican party Of Iowa was
organized. That same year he was
chosen prosecuting attorney Of Lima
| county. being the first republican elect
ed to Office in this county. In 1856 he
was elected to the state senate: he
sat as member of the last senate
held at Iowa City and the first senate
held in Des Moines.
Major Of Twentieth Iowa.
Judge Thompson assisted In the or
ganization Of the Twentieth Iowa in
fantry, and during the progress Of the
war became major of that regiment.
He participated in many battles, being
severely wounded at the hattie of
Prairie Grove. Ark. He was in COM
mand of tho regiment for more than a
year. For q time he was comnn. nder
Of the military post at Fort Arkansas
| Pass. Tex. He was honorably dis
charged from the service in 1854.
stumpsd state For Lincoln.
In 1864 Thompson was chosen one
Of the presidential electors-at-large on
the republican ticket, tho other being
Ben C. Daewin. Thompson stumped
the state for Lincoln
Shortly after the war ended T1aonap-
son was chosen prosecuting attorney
for the district composed Of Linn.
Jones, Cedar. Johnson. Iowa, Benton
and Tama counties. serving six years
and then declining to be candidate
for reelection. In 1S7S he was ap-
pointed by President Hayes to the
chief justiceshdp Of Idaho. He served
in that capacity but a few months, re-
turning to Linn county, and in 1880
he was elected to congress and re-
elected in 1882. He served four years
in congress.
In 1886 Judge Thompson was re-
elected to the Iowa legislature. serving
in the lower house AS legislator he
was one of the house committee ap-
pointed to try Auditor Of State Brown
on impeachment charges.
Served Long on Bench.
Mr.. Thompson continued the prac-
tice Of law until 1894, when he was
appointed to the district bench to I'LL
the vacancy occasioned by the retire
ment Of Judge Preston In November
of that year, Judge Thompson was
elected, and he was re-eelcted in 1898
and 1902. He thus served over twelve
years on the district bench. He retired
in January. 1907. with most credit
able record, and entered law part
nership with his SON. The last year or
so failing health caused him to quit
active practice.
Judge Thompson was never defeated
for any Office for which he was can
didate.