Fountain L. Thompson

Fountain Land Thompson (November 18, 1854  February 4, 1942) was a North Dakota politician who served as a United States Senator from his state.

Fountain L. Thompson
United States Senator
from North Dakota
In office
November 10, 1909  January 31, 1910
Preceded byMartin N. Johnson
Succeeded byWilliam E. Purcell
Personal details
Born(1854-11-18)November 18, 1854
Macoupin County, Illinois, U.S.
DiedFebruary 4, 1942(1942-02-04) (aged 87)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ProfessionLawyer

Biography

Born in Macoupin County, Illinois near Scottville, he moved to nearby Girard in 1865; he attended the public schools there and studied law and was admitted to the bar, but did not engage in extensive practice. He was a member of the board of supervisors of Macoupin County and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He moved to Dakota Territory and settled on a farm near Cando, North Dakota, in 1888. He was judge of the Towner County Court from 1890 to 1894. He engaged in the real estate business and banking in Cando and also in agricultural pursuits; was a school director and member of the Cando Board of Aldermen. He was mayor of Cando, and was appointed as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Martin N. Johnson and served from November 10, 1909, to January 31, 1910, when he resigned.

He resumed his former business activities in Cando until his retirement in 1921; he moved to Los Angeles, California where he resided until his death in 1942 at age 87. Retrospectively, he is the only the 2nd U.S. Senator to ever be the oldest living U.S. Senator for 2 distinct intervals. This was due to the late age inauguration and subsequent passing 2 months later of Andrew Jackson Houston. Thompson's interment was in Hollywood Cemetery.

References

  • United States Congress. "Fountain L. Thompson (id: T000199)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • Fountain L. Thompson at Find a Grave
U.S. Senate
Preceded by
Martin Johnson
U.S. senator (Class 3) from North Dakota
November 10, 1909-January 31, 1910
Served alongside: Porter J. McCumber
Succeeded by
William Purcell
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Furnifold Simmons
Oldest living U.S. Senator
April 30, 1940-April 21, 1941
Succeeded by
Andrew Houston
Preceded by
Andrew Houston
Oldest living U.S. Senator
June 26, 1941-February 4, 1942
Succeeded by
Robert Owen
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