David P. Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David P. Thompson
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| 5th United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire | |
| In office 1892–1893 |
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| Preceded by | Solomon Hirsch |
| Succeeded by | Alexander W. Terrell |
| 24th Mayor of Portland, Oregon | |
| In office 1879–1882 |
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| Preceded by | William Spencer Newbury |
| Succeeded by | J. A. Chapman |
| 6th Governor of Idaho Territory | |
| In office 1875–1876 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas W. Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Mason Brayman |
| Member of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office 1868–1870 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | November 8, 1834 Cadiz, Ohio |
| Died | December 14, 1901 (aged 67) Portland, Oregon |
| Political party | Republican; Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary R. Meldrum |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
David Preston Thompson (born November 8, 1834 – died December 14, 1901) was an important American businessman and politician. He lived and worked in the Pacific Northwest region. Thompson served as the governor of the Idaho Territory from 1875 to 1876. He was born in Ohio and moved to the Oregon Territory in 1853. In Oregon, he became a successful businessman. He also served in the Oregon Legislative Assembly as both a Republican and a Democrat.
During the American Civil War, he joined the United States Army. However, his unit stayed in Oregon and did not fight in battles. Later in his life, Thompson became the mayor of Portland, Oregon. He also served as the United States minister to the Ottoman Empire. He was a Republican for most of his political career. He even ran for Governor of Oregon in 1890. Thompson donated the Thompson Elk Fountain to the city of Portland. A city park in Northeast Portland is also named in his honor.
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David P. Thompson: Early Life and Moving West
David Thompson was born on November 8, 1834, in Cadiz, Ohio. His parents, Joseph and Betsey Thompson, had Irish and Scottish backgrounds. When he was young, he worked as an apprentice blacksmith. He also surveyed land for railroad lines.
In 1853, at 19 years old, Thompson moved to the Oregon Territory. He traveled along the Oregon Trail, helping to herd sheep. This journey brought him to the growing West.
Life and Work in Oregon
Once in Oregon, David Thompson helped build a railroad. This railroad was around Willamette Falls near Oregon City. It was actually the first railroad ever built in Oregon! After that, he became a deputy surveyor for the United States. He helped map out public lands in both the Oregon and Washington territories until 1863.
When the American Civil War started in 1861, Thompson joined the United States Army. He became a captain in the First Oregon Cavalry. Because Oregon was far from the main battles, his unit did not see any fighting. Later, Thompson became involved in many different businesses. These included mining, railroads like the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, banking, and manufacturing. He became a very wealthy man.
A Career in Politics
David Thompson's political career began in 1868. He served in the Oregon State Senate for Clackamas County as a Republican. In 1870, he served again, but this time as a Democrat for Multnomah County.
In 1874, President Ulysses S. Grant chose him to be the governor of Idaho Territory. Thompson started this job in 1875. While he was governor, he managed several mail delivery contracts. However, he mostly stayed in Oregon and only made short visits to Idaho. He resigned from this role in 1876, at President Grant's request.
Serving Portland and Beyond
In 1878, Thompson returned to the Oregon Legislature as a Republican. He represented Multnomah County. On June 16, 1879, he was elected Mayor of Portland. He was reelected in 1881 and served until 1882. In 1884, he was a presidential elector for the Republican Party. This meant he helped formally elect the president.
He served in the Oregon Legislature again in 1889. In 1890, he was the Republican candidate for Oregon Governor, but he did not win. Then, in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Thompson as the United States minister to the Ottoman Empire. He served in this important international role until he resigned in 1893.
Family and Lasting Legacy
In 1861, David Thompson married Mary R. Meldrum. They had three children: Bessie, Genevieve, and Ralph. Thompson was a regent for the University of Oregon. He also served as president of the Oregon Humane Society, which helps animals.
In 1891, the Portland Public Library was started. Thompson was its first president. He gave a fountain to the city of Portland, which is located downtown. This fountain is called the Thompson Elk Fountain. It was designed by sculptor Roland Hinton Perry. In 2020, the elk statue was temporarily removed from the fountain for safekeeping during protests. The granite parts of the fountain were also moved.
After Thompson's death, his family donated a statue called Coming of the White Man to the city. This statue, created by sculptor Herman A. MacNeil, stands in Washington Park. Also, Thompson Park in Northeast Portland is named in his honor. David P. Thompson passed away on December 14, 1901, in Portland. His remains were buried at River View Cemetery.
