John Richardson Thompson (July 28, 1834 – February 12, 1894) was one of the eight founders of the

National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry The Grange, officially named The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a social organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and ...

, a fraternal organization in the United States.

Biography

Thompson was born on July 28, 1834, in

Littleton, New Hampshire Littleton is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,005 at the 2020 census. Situated at the northern edge of the White Mountains, Littleton is bounded on the northwest by the Connecticut River. The main vill ...

and grew up on the family farm. He served in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

with the 15th Vermont Volunteers, rising to the rank of colonel. Following the war, he took a job at the

United States Department of the Treasury The Department of the Treasury (USDT) is the national treasury and finance department of the federal government of the United States, where it serves as an executive department. The department oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and t ...

, where he remained for many years. Thompson is believed to be the first to whom

Oliver Hudson Kelley Oliver Hudson Kelley (January 7, 1826 – January 20, 1913) was one of the key founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States.William D. Barns, "Oliver Hudson Kelley and the ge ...

talked about his dream of setting up a

fraternal organization A fraternity (from Latin ''frater'': "brother"; whence, "brotherhood") or fraternal organization is an organization, society, club or fraternal order traditionally of men associated together for various religious or secular aims. Fraternity in ...

of farmers. Thompson's

Freemasonry Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

training became a valuable tool in developing the ritualistic work of The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, revolving the ritualistic teachings around the farm and farm family. He died on February 12, 1894.

Legacy

The other founders of the Grange were:

, William Saunders, Francis M. McDowell, John Trimble,

Aaron B. Grosh Reverend Aaron Burt Grosh (1803 – March 27, 1884), a Universalist minister, was one of the eight founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States. He had a major part in ...

William M. Ireland William M. Ireland (died December 24, 1891) was one of the eight founders of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization in the United States. Biography Ireland was born in Pennsylvania but lived most of his ...

and Caroline A. Hall.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, John R. People from Littleton, New Hampshire People of Vermont in the American Civil War 1834 births 1894 deaths National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry