This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MilisiaHanlin Surnames: THOMPSON, THOMSON, Blackburn, Clarkson, Matlock, Swann, Williams, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.thompson/17286/mb.ashx Message Board Post: "Hugh Smith THOMPSON Dead. Was New York Life's Controller and Ex-Governor of South Carolina. "Hugh Smith THOMPSON, Controller of the New York Like Insurance Company, and ex-Governor of South Carolina, died at his residence, 34 East Fifty-third Street, at 9 o'clock last night. At the bedside were gathered all the immediate members of the family. Stricken with grip last March, Mr. THOMPSON had never rallied, and, coupled with chronic asthma, from which he had been a sufferer, it caused his death. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made. The body will be taken to Mr. THOMPSON's former home in South Carolina. Mr. THOMPSON had been Controller of the New York Life Insurance Company for twelve years, and was twice Governor of South Carolina, where he was born on Jan. 24, 1836. His grandfather was Waddy THOMPSON, Sr., who was for twenty-six years, Chancellor of South Carolina. His uncle, Gen. Waddy THOMPSON, Jr., was a Congressman from South Carolina, and later Minister to Mexico. His father was Henry Tazewell THOMPSON, who married Miss Agnes SMITH. Mr. THOMPSON was graduated from the South Carolina Military Academy in 1856, and the next year became professor of French and belles-lettres at Arsenal Academy, Columbia. In the civil war he was Captain of the Battalion of State Cadets, doing service around Charleston. At the close of the war he became the principal of the Columbia Male Academy, holding that place until 1876, when he was elected State Superintendent of Schools. He served until 1882, when he was elected Governor. He was re-elected in 1884. One June 30, 1886, he resigned to become Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury under President CLEVELAND, and continued under Secretary FAIRCHILD. He was named as the Democratic member of the Civil Service Commission by President CLEVELAND in February, 1889, but the Senate did not act on the nomination. However, he was appointed by President HARRISON in the following May, and served on the commission with President ROOSEVELT. He remained on the commission until the Spring of 1892, when he became Controller of the New York Like Insurance Company, and removed to this city, living at 34 East Fifty-third Street. He was a member of the Century and Reform Clubs, the Confederate Veteran's Association, Tau Omega Frraternity, and the Southern Society, of which he was President for many years. He leaves a widow, who was Miss Elizabeth CLARKSON, and to whom he was married on April 6, 1858. Five sons and two daughters also survive him--Col. Henry T. THOMPSON, who was Lieutenant Colonel of the Second South Carolina Regiment at the time of the Spanish war, and who lives at Columbia; Thomas C. THOMPSON, of Chattanooga, Tenn; John M. THOMPSON, a real estate broker at 115 Broadway, this city; Waddy THOMPSON, of Atlanta, Ga., the author of a history of the United States; Hugh S. THOMPSON, Jr., a real estate broker at 44 Wall Street, this city; Mrs. James C. ZACHRY, whose husband is a broker at 44 Wall Street, and Miss Caroline THOMPSON, who lives at home." Source Citation and Source Information: Obituary of Hugh Smith THOMPSON, of New York City, New York, USA, formerly ex-Governor of South Carolina. The New York Times. November 21, 1904. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.