The Republican journal., 1916-02-10
OBITUARY.

Hon. William P. Thompson. reporter of de-
cisions of the Maine Supreme Judicial court.
died at 10 a. M, Feb. 9Th, at his home in Ban-
or,after an illness of about two months. at
the age of 72 years. He had been in ill health
for the last year and half. but not seriously
until about two months ago. The news Of his
death was a great shock to his many friends
in this city who were not aware of the serious
nature of his illness. Mr.. Thompson was born
in Troy, Me-, attended the public schools an6
taught school to obtain the means for higher
education. He attended Freedom Academy q
number Of terms, also the E. M C. Seminary
in Bucksport. and after graduating from
Kent's Hill Seminary came to Belfast and be-
gan the study Of law in the Office of E. K.
Boyle. He passed his examination and WAS
admitted to the Waldo county bar in 1870. and
soon after opened an office for the practice of
law in Vassalboro, and was there elected to
his first office, that of superintendent of
schools. In 1876 it was Vassalboro's turn to
furnish a candidate for the legislature and
Mr.. Thompson was nominated and elected.
He declined second term, as he had planned
| Belfast at that time had formidable array of
legal talent including A G. Jewett, William
H. Mcclellan. Nehemiah Abbott, and others,
and Mr.. Thompson used to say that it was
like Daniel going into the lions den for
young lawyer to invade the Waldo courts at
that time. and he admitted that it rather
slim pickings on the start, but he finally made
good and for nearly 25 years beloved
and respected citizen of Belfast and his
moval to Bangor matter of general re-
gret. He was law partner of Hon. Robert
F. Dunton for time, and when the partner
ship was dissolved continued his practice. He
took an active part in politics as Democrat
and was on the stump in every campaign. In
1890 he the Democratic candidate for
governor of Maine against Hon. Edwin c.
Burleigh aid was defeated, but cut down the
Republican plurality at the previous election.
He was offered the nomination again in 1892
but declined to enter the contest for Congress
in the Sd district against Hon. S. l.. Milliken,
and though defeated again had the satisfac-
tion of reducing the Republican plurality. He
always ran ahead of his ticket, and when
elected county attorney for Waldo county was
the -only candidate on the Democratic ticket
elected mayor of Belfast on citizens ticket
and was re- elected the next year. In 1893 he
was appointed collector of customs for the
port OF Befasu by President Cleveland and
held the office for four years. In 1899 he was
appointed federal referee in bankruptcy for
Waldo county In 1908 he removed to Bangor
and formed partnership with A. L. Blanch-
ard, who, as we'll as his brother, B. M. Blanch-
ard had read law in Mr.. Thompson's office.
This partnership continued until short time
after Mr.. Thompson was appointed by Cover
nor Plalsted as reporter of decisions of the
Maine supreme court. succeeding Judge George
ID. Smith of Presque Isle, July %, 1872 which
Office Mr.. Thompson held at the time of his
death. Mr.. Thompson was twice married
When resident of .Vassalboro he married
Miss Harriet johnson of that town and two
children were born to them, son. Carol A. of
this city. and daughter, Mrs. Charles Hea-
cock, now deceased. His wife died before his
return to Belfast In 1888 he married Miss
Emma Hilton of this city who, with one son,
Donald, survives HIM. When resident of
Belfast Mr.. Thompson attended the Unitarian
church. He was and a member of
other local organizations.
The remains arrived on the 8 SO train Wed
nesday accompanied by his immediate family
and Mrs Carrie H. Littlefeld of st, Andrews,
N. B., and Miss Mary H. Hilton of Belfast, Mrs.
Thompson's sisters; Messrs. Henry W, Mayo,
patc
Blanchard, honorary bearers from the Penob-
scot County Bar; Eben +. Littlefield, chairman
of the Industrial Accident Commission of Au-
yusta, who was delegated by Gov. Oakley C.
Curtis to represent the State officials They
were met at the depot by delegations from
Waldo County Bar and the city government,
who accompanied the body to the Unitarian
church, where the services were held at IL
O'Clock, Rev. Arthur E. Wilson, pastor. otfic-
ating. MIR. Wilson read selections from He
brews and repeated that beautiful poem, "Our
| Dead" by Hosmer, the noted Unitarian divine
He spoke sympathetically to the bereaved, re-
ferring to the words of eulogy that were on
the lips of all who knew Mr.. thompson in his
home city. He had lived to the limit usually
accorded for mans best work and had done his
work well and was faithful to every trust.
There were present delegations from the Pc
nopscot and Waldo Cjunty Bars, the Belfast
City Government. the Masonic Lodges, the
Fire Department. the Post Office, business
me of the city and many personal friends
The bearers were Messrs. Robert F. and John
R. Dunton, Ruel W. Rogers. Fred Waldo
Brown. Eben F. Littiefeld, County Attorney
Walter A. Cowan and Ralph l. Morse. The
floral tributes were abundant and beautiful.
The interment will be in the family lot in
Grove Cemetery next spring.
At special meeting of the Penobscot Bar,
held in the library of the courthouse in Ban
gor Monday noon. John R. Mason, Esq, pre-
siding and Charles H. Reid, ESQ.,, acting as
secretary pro TEN, it was voted that the Bar
attend in body the services at the residence
on Fifth street at $50 p. m. Tuesday. COM
mittee of four was appointed as honorary
bearers and to accompany the remains to Bel
fast, the committee being Torrance B. Towle,
Henry W. Mayo. Willis Y Patch and Albert L.
Blanchard. A committee of three, John r,
asop, Matthew Laughlin and Henry W. Mayo
was appointed to submit resolutions on tn.