Biography

02/11/1799 - 01/28/1887

John Thompson (R3) Montgomery County 1859-1861

Early Life:

John Thompson, born February 11, 1799, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; son of William and Mary Thompson; common school education; carpenter apprentice; commissioned, Justice of the Peace, 1833-1863; councilman, burgess, Pottstown, Pennsylvania; elected, Whig, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1847; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1859-1861; manager, director, Schuylkill Bridge Company; director, Pottstown National Bank; president, Mutual Fire Company, Pottstown; bachelor; died, January 28, 1887 (aged 87years, 11 months, 16 days) at home, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; interment, Edgewood Cemetery, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Commissioned, Justice of the Peace, Governor George Wolf, 1833-1863.

Councilman, burgess, Pottstown, Pennsylvania. 

Elected, Whig, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1847.

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 3rd district, Montgomery County, 1859-1861.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

Oldest living former Pennsylvania State Senator. 

Note, sole purpose for coming to Harrisburg was to argue a case for the formation of Madison County, from the existent Montgomery County.  The issue had raged on in Montgomery County from the early 1850s until the 1874 Constitution forbade the formation of a new county, less than 400 Square miles, or less than 20,000 inhabitants.

Read, Declaration of Independence, semi-centennial, July4, 1826; again, on July 4, 1876, Pottstown.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. Senate Members "T" (wilkes.edu). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Reading Times (Reading, Pennsylvania) Saturday, January 29, 1887, Page 1.

John Thompson (1799-1887) - Find a Grave Memorial