Gates P. Thruston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gates Phillips Thruston
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Gates P. Thruston, circa 1875
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| Born | June 11, 1835 Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | December 9, 1912 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Buried |
Mount Olivet Cemetery,
Nashville, Tennessee |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 1st Ohio Infantry Regiment XX Corps Army of the Cumberland |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Ida Hamilton Fanny Dorman |
| Children | 1 son |
| Relations | Buckner Thruston (grandfather) Charles Mynn Thruston (uncle) |
| Other work | Lawyer, businessman, author |
Gates Phillips Thruston (born June 11, 1835 – died December 9, 1912) was an American lawyer and businessman. He was born in Ohio. During the American Civil War, he fought for the Union Army.
After the war, he became a lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee. He also led the State Insurance Company. Thruston was very interested in archaeology. He wrote books about ancient Native American mounds and artifacts. Today, his collection is at the Tennessee State Museum.
Early Life and Military Service
Gates P. Thruston was born on June 11, 1835, in Dayton, Ohio. His grandfather, Buckner Thruston, was a United States Senator.
Thruston went to Miami University and graduated in 1855. He also earned a law degree from the Cincinnati Law School.
When the American Civil War began, he joined the Union Army. He became a Captain in the 1st Ohio Infantry Regiment. He fought in important battles like Shiloh and Stones River.
Later, he worked for important generals like William S. Rosecrans and George H. Thomas. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He eventually became a Brigadier General for his service during the war.
Career and Archaeology
After the war, Thruston became a lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee. He later became the president of the State Insurance Company.
Thruston was also very interested in history and archaeology. He was the vice president of the Tennessee Historical Society. He dug for Native American artifacts at places like Noel Farm in Nashville. He even dug at Pompei in Italy.
In 1890, he published his first book, The Antiquities of Tennessee and the Adjacent States. This book was about his findings of Native American mounds and artifacts. It was reviewed by important science journals. He wrote several other books as well.
Thruston also collected medals and coins. He won an award for his collection at the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition. He was also a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
He helped lead several important organizations in Nashville. He was a commissioner for the Watkins Institute. He also served as president of the Nashville Art Association. He was on the board of trustees for the University of Nashville.
Family and Legacy
Thruston was married twice. His first wife was Ida Hamilton, and his second wife was Fanny Dorman. He had one son, Gates Thruston Jr., who passed away before him.
Gates P. Thruston died on December 9, 1912, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was buried at the Mount Olivet Cemetery.
He gave his collection of Native American artifacts to Vanderbilt University in 1907. Since 1986, this collection has been shown at the Tennessee State Museum. A book about his collection was published in 1985.
Images for kids
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Gates P. Thruston, circa 1875
