History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/James K. P. Thompson
JAMES K. P. THOMPSON was born near Cary, Ohio, August 21, 1845. His education was carefully guided by his mother who was a prominent teacher. In 1857 Mr. Thompson came to Iowa, locating in Clayton County. He enlisted as a musician in Company D, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers in 1862 and served through the war, taking part in the following engagements: running the blockade at Vicksburg, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, assault and siege of Vicksburg, Mobile campaign, siege and assault of Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort. He was severely wounded in the assault on Vicksburg. Under the instruction of S. T. Woodward of Elkader he began the study of law in 1869, was admitted to the bar, and in 1874 located in Lyon County at Rock Rapids, and opened the first law office in the town. He was for many years closely identified with the development of northwestern Iowa and especially with Lyon County, where he held many offices. He was largely instrumental in securing the establishment of the National Military Park at Vicksburg and was a member of the Board of Directors from the beginning. Colonel Thompson served on the staff of Governors Larrabee, Jackson and Drake. He died at his home in Rock Rapids in January, 1903.