Thompson, Otis, a Congregational minister, was born iu 1773, and was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1798. After his graduation he was a tutor in the university for two years (1798-1800). Having pursued his theological studies with Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass.. he was settled for life as pastor of the Congregational (Church in Rehoboth. P'or many years lie received and instructed pupils who were looking for- ward to the ministry. He was everywhere regarded as a profound theologian, and a man of more than usual ability. He published several sermons and discourses, and for several years was the editor of a journal known as the llopkiiuiian Afdf/nzine, He died at North Abing- ton, :Mass., June 26, 1859. (J. C. S.)
Thompson, Robert Gordon, a Presbyterian minister, was born < )ct. 22, bSOil, in Conetnaugh town- ship, Indiana Co., Pa. His education preparatory to the college was received in part from the Rev. Jesse Smith, pastor of the Ebenezer congregation in Indi- ana County, and in part in the preparatory depart- ment of Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Pa. He united, on profession of his faith, with the Chartiers Presbyterian Cluirch, Washington Co., in 1827. He was graduated from Jefferson College in September, 1830, and passcil from college immediately into Prince- ton Theological Seminary, N. J., where he spent two and a half years (1830-33) in study. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia^ April 19, 1833; and was ordained by the same presbytery, sine lufela, in the (Ireat Valley Presbyterian Church, Oct. 7, 1833. Mr. Thompson spent the first two years of his tiiinistrv (from June 1, 1833, to Jiuie 1, 1835) as stated supply at Poundridge, Westchester Co., N. Y., where his labors were accompanied by a blessed revival. Having ac- cepted a call to Yorktown, N. Y., he was installed as pastor of the Church at that place. May 18, 1830; antl after a most successfid pastorate of ten years, having accepted a call to Tariffville, Conn., was released Feb. 5, 181t'), and installed [lastor of the Presbyterian Church at Tariffville, March 17, 1816. '1 here he labored with ability and tidelity six and a half years, when, his health becoming impaired, he was released by his presbytery, Sept. 30, 1852, and removed to Wisconsin. His next field was Roscoe. 111., where he preached as stated sup- ply from Oct. 24, 1852, to Oct. 8, 1851. From 1855 to 1862 he supplied, for longer or shorter periods, as liis health permitted, the churches of Rockford, Roscoe,
Belvidere, and Willow Creek, 111. ; and Janesville and Brodhead, Wis. From July 1, 1862, he supplied Wil- low Creek Cluirch for two years, when, having acce]it- ed a call from that Church, he was installed as jias- tor, July 6, 1861; and labored there very usefidly initil he was released. Nov. 16, 1868. He next preached as stated supply at Brodhead from Dec. 5, 1869, to Oct. 9, 1871. A few weeks after the latter date be remov(<l to Greeley, Col., to take charge as pastor of a newly organized Presbyterian Church, but was never instali- ed, although he continued Jis pastor elect to fill its pul- pit until Jlarch 1, 1877. From this time he was with- out any charge, but contiimed to be, so far as his age and increasing (ihysical infirmities would permit, ac- tive in laying the foundation both of the Church and of the State in that new region. He died at (ireeley, March 19, 1879. ]Mr. Thoin])son's views of truth were clear and strong, and his voice gave no uncertain soimd. As a preacher he was solid and able, at the same time earnest and affectionate ; as a presbyter he was unsur- passed in ('hristian uprightness; as the head of a family he tenderly loved, and was beloved. (W. P. S.)
Thompson, Samuel, a Methodist Protestant min- ister, was born on the rockj^ shores of Maine, Oct. 5, 1782; he was converted in 1802, and at once began to preacli. Three years later he was ordained deacon, and, after two more, elder. In 1812 he was located, and in 1816 removed to Wheeling Creek, A\'.Ya., -where he spent six and a half years, and then withdrew from the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and united in the movement that eventually resulted in the Methodist I'rotestant Church. For fifteen years he labored to build up this new branch of the Methodist denomination, when from conscientious impulses he united others in raising an antislavery Church (the Wesleyan). In 1848 he re- moved to Iowa, and continued in connection with the Wesleyans until 1860, when, learning of the antislavery element in the Methodist Protestant Church, he reunited with them at Mount Pleasant, la,, and continued to labor in their interest till his death, Oct. 24, 1867. See Bas- sett. Hist, of the Meth. Prot. Church, p. 348.
Thompson, Samuel H,, a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa,, March 16, 1786, and carefully instructed in the principles of the Christian religion according to the views of the Presbyterian Church. In 1804 he joined the IMethodist Episcopal Church; was received on trial in the AVest- ern Conference in 1809; and from that time until 1836, a period of twenty-seven years, his field of labor in suc- cessive years embraced large portions of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and the whole of the territo- ries of JMissouri and Illinois. In all this vast region he first assisted to plant the principles of the Gos- pel, and afterwards continued to cultivate them with the most assiduous labor. In 1836, his health failing, he was compelled to take a superannuated relation, and, as such, for the next four years he served the Church in the stations of Alton, Yandalia, Hillsborough, and Belle- ville, In 1840 he was again returned effective, and ap- pointed to Belleville station, but died INIarch 19 of that year. He was a minister of tine abilities, and every- where he breathed the peaceful spirit of Christianity around him. See Minutes of A nnual Conferences, iii, 346. (J. L. S.)