William G. Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William G. Thompson
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| Mayor of Detroit | |
| In office 1880–1883 |
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| Preceded by | George C. Langdon |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Benedict Grummond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 23, 1842 Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 20, 1904 (aged 61) Yonkers, New York |
| Spouses | Adelaide Mary Brush, Adele Campau |
William G. Thompson was born on July 23, 1842, and passed away on July 20, 1904. He was an important figure in American history. He served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he became a lawyer and a politician. He even served as the mayor of Detroit, Michigan. A fun fact about him is that he also started Detroit's very first major league baseball team!
William Thompson's Early Life
William G. Thompson was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He went to college at Amherst College. When the American Civil War began in 1861, he felt it was his duty to join the army. He became a soldier in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
After his first time serving, he moved to Toledo, Ohio. But he soon joined another army group there as a first lieutenant. He spent a winter in Detroit before returning to Lancaster. Later, he became a second lieutenant in the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He was seriously hurt during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Because of his bravery in battle, he was promoted to first lieutenant.
Thompson was also part of a special group called the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. This group was for officers who fought for the Union during the Civil War.
Law, Business, and Politics
After his time in the army ended in 1864, Thompson decided to study law in New York City. He then moved to Detroit and became a lawyer in 1867. He was also involved in many different businesses. For example, he helped build the Ste. Claire Hotel in 1879.
One of his most exciting business ventures was starting Detroit's first major league baseball team. He founded the Detroit Wolverines in 1881.
Thompson also had a long career in politics. He served on the Board of Estimates in 1873. Then, he was an alderman, which is like a city council member, from 1874 to 1875. He ran for mayor of Detroit in 1876 but did not win that time. He also attended the Republican National Convention in 1876 and 1880.
He ran for mayor two more times as a Republican and won both elections. He served as mayor of Detroit from 1880 to 1883. In 1884, he changed political parties and became a Democrat. He tried to get the Democratic nomination for mayor but was not chosen. He ran for mayor one last time in 1891 but lost to Hazen S. Pingree. Later, in 1894, he was elected to serve as a state senator for Michigan.
Later Life and Family
In 1867, William Thompson married Adelaide Mary Brush. They had one daughter together. Sadly, Adelaide passed away in 1875. In 1878, Thompson married Adele Campau. She was the granddaughter of a former Detroit mayor, Joseph Campau.
William G. Thompson died on July 20, 1904, in Yonkers, New York. He passed away from injuries after being hit by a bicycle. He is buried in Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, New Jersey.
