Augustin Thompson
Encyclopedia
Augustin Thompson was a physician, business person and philanthropist who created the Moxie
soft drink and the company that manufactures it.
on November 25, 1835. In the early part of the American Civil War
, he joined the Union Army forces as captain of Company G, 28th Maine Volunteer Infantry
. He saw action in the Siege of Port Hudson
in Donaldsonville, Louisiana
as well as minor action at Fort Pickens
in Pensacola, Florida
. Later in life he was granted the rank of lieutenant colonel through an act of Congress.
After the war ended, he went on to attend Hahnemann Homeopathia College
and graduated with honors at the head of his class. Upon graduation he settled in Lowell, Massachusetts
where he set up his medical practice in 1867. By 1885, Dr. Thompson's practice had become highly successful and he was said to have one of the largest patient lists in New England
. However it was at this time he gave up his $15,000 (over $350,000 by 2009 standards) to begin the marketing and sale of his Moxie
nerve tonic.
There had been a lawsuit in 1907 complained by The Moxie Nerve Food Company of New England against Modox Company and others for copying the ingredients and using the name of "Modox" which closely resembled "Moxie" and infringing on their patents and trademarks. The complaint was dismissed regretfully by the judge who said the court could not protect the legitimate part of the complainant's business in this case. In a later case in New York, the Moxie Nerve Food Company won the complaint against Modox which subsequently went out of business.
.
Moxie
Moxie is a carbonated beverage that was one of the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It continues to be regionally popular today....
soft drink and the company that manufactures it.
Early life
Thompson was born in Union, MaineUnion, Maine
Union is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,209 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage and annual Union Fair.-History:...
on November 25, 1835. In the early part of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he joined the Union Army forces as captain of Company G, 28th Maine Volunteer Infantry
28th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 28th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 28th Maine Infantry was organized in Augusta, Maine and mustered in October 18, 1862 for nine months' service under the command of Colonel Ephriam W....
. He saw action in the Siege of Port Hudson
Siege of Port Hudson
The Siege of Port Hudson occurred from May 22 to July 9, 1863, when Union Army troops assaulted and then surrounded the Mississippi River town of Port Hudson, Louisiana, during the American Civil War....
in Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Donaldsonville is a city in and the parish seat of Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The population was 7,605 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Acadians began to settle in the area in...
as well as minor action at Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens is a pentagonal historic United States military fort on Santa Rosa Island in the Pensacola, Florida, area. It is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens. The fort was completed in 1834 and remained in use until 1947...
in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. Later in life he was granted the rank of lieutenant colonel through an act of Congress.
After the war ended, he went on to attend Hahnemann Homeopathia College
Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine is the medical school of Drexel University. The medical school has the nation's largest enrollment for a private medical school, and represents the consolidation of two medical schools: the nation's first medical school for women and the first U.S. college of...
and graduated with honors at the head of his class. Upon graduation he settled in Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
where he set up his medical practice in 1867. By 1885, Dr. Thompson's practice had become highly successful and he was said to have one of the largest patient lists in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. However it was at this time he gave up his $15,000 (over $350,000 by 2009 standards) to begin the marketing and sale of his Moxie
Moxie
Moxie is a carbonated beverage that was one of the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It continues to be regionally popular today....
nerve tonic.
Business
The tonic, based upon his original patent medicine "Nerve Food" created in 1876, was first released as a syrup in 1884. In 1885, he received a trade mark for the term and released it as a carbonated beverage.There had been a lawsuit in 1907 complained by The Moxie Nerve Food Company of New England against Modox Company and others for copying the ingredients and using the name of "Modox" which closely resembled "Moxie" and infringing on their patents and trademarks. The complaint was dismissed regretfully by the judge who said the court could not protect the legitimate part of the complainant's business in this case. In a later case in New York, the Moxie Nerve Food Company won the complaint against Modox which subsequently went out of business.
Death
Thompson died June 8, 1903 and is buried in Lowell at the Lowell CemeteryLowell Cemetery
Lowell Cemetery is a cemetery located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Founded in 1841 and located on the banks of the Concord River, the cemetery is one of the oldest garden cemeteries in the nation, inspired by Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
.
See also
- MoxieMoxieMoxie is a carbonated beverage that was one of the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It continues to be regionally popular today....
- Lowell, MassachusettsLowell, MassachusettsLowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
- Ted WilliamsTed WilliamsTheodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
, spokesperson for Moxie