Name/Title
Thompson, Jeff Was Man of Many Interests Here, St. Joseph MO Gazette December 1953Entry/Object ID
AM1992.9.20Scope and Content
Thompson, Jeff Was Man of Many Interests Here, 1953. At the top of the article is a picture of Jeff Thompson. To the left of the article there is a picture of the marker from his grave site at Mount Mora Cemetery. The marker reads M. Jeff Thompson 1-22-1826, 9-5-1876, Rail Road Builder, Mayor -St. Joseph, Brig. Gen. C.S.A. State Engineer L. A.
St. Joseph Historical Society-1953 by G. M. Setzer.
The marker was made by Glen Setzer, who makes markers as a hobby. the size is 20x26x4 and the weight is about 200 pounds.
The picture is a reproduction of a print made in 1862 of Thompson in Missouri state guard uniform. He was a brigadier general with the guard and later with the Confederate army.
The Historical society is dedicating a new marker on his grave. In 1860 not only was he mayor, but also president of the city's gas light company, president of the Marysville & Roseport railroad ( Elwood was known as Roseport then); President of Marysville & Denver City railroad, secretary of the St. Joseph & Topeka railroad and local agent for a fire insurance company and a life insurance company.
He was the man most blamed for St. Joseph losing some of the early railroads the city expected to get. While he may have been responsible indirectly, it certainly was not his intentions to hurt the city. It all came about because the city had an ordinance that prevented the flying of any flags in the city. It was passed by the city council in May 1861, as an olive branch to soothe Civil War feelings. Missouri was still uncommitted to either side mostly because of fat profits coming out of the West.
After the council passed the ordinance, Postmaster John L. Bittinger, raised the U.S. flag over the post officer. He was a newly appointed Republican from St. Louis. This aroused a storm of protest and a crowd of southern sympathizers gathered. Angry speeches were made. While Jeff Thompson in his speech condemned the action of the postmaster he urged moderation and self control. but he went along with the crowd that helped tear down the flag.
This precipitated him into the Confederate ranks where his sympathy lay as a Virginian by birth. Because he left St. Joseph, all his railroad interests were left dangling.
As a result, backers of the Union Pacific railroad, which had been considering following Jeff's lines to Denver, shifted north and made Omaha the terminus of the great line.
He was captured, held prisoner, and later made engineer of the state of Louisiana, But first of all, as is listed on the new white concrete marker. Mr. Jeff Thompson was a railroad builder.Lexicon
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Civil wars, Railroads, MayorsSearch Terms
Confederate Soldier, St. Joseph Historical Society, St. Joseph & Topeka railroad, Marysville & Denver railroad, Marysville & Roseport railroad, Union Pacific railroad, Mt. Mora Cemetery, Thompson, M. Jeff, Confederate Army, Civil War in St. Joseph, Marysville & Roseport RailroadRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
M. Jeff ThompsonPerson or Organization
Glen M. SetzerPerson or Organization
John L. Bittinger