John L. Thompson
Encyclopedia
John Lay Thompson was an Iowa journalist and businessman who played a key role in the early history of the African American
newspaper the Iowa Bystander
.
Thompson was born to Andy and Catherine Thompson in 1869, while the family lived in Decatur County. He was the first of four children (John, Eldora, Eddie), and had one older half-brother (Benjamin Sheppard). Born a slave in Kentucky
, Andy Thompson was released by his master in 1862 and settled in Decatur County, Iowa. The elder Thompson put all his children through college with his earnings as a farmer on 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) in Decatur County.
Thompson graduated from Iowa Business College in 1896 and the Drake University Law School
in 1898. While still a student at Drake, he took over the newly founded Iowa State Bystander from original publisher William Coalson in 1896. He stayed in Des Moines for the rest of his life, and over the following years, he turned the newspaper into a successful enterprise by organizing aggressive subscription drives and threatened boycotts against businesses that refused to advertise in a black newspaper. During the First World War, Thompson dedicated entire issues of the Bystander to issues surrounding the Buffalo Soldier
regiments stationed in Iowa's Camp Dodge
. After Armistice
, Thompson met many returning black veterans, including James B. Morris. Morris took over the Bystander in 1922.
In addition to his work in journalism, Thompson and his wife, Maud Watkins-Thompson, were active in Iowan society. He served as deputy county treasurer in Polk County, Iowa
(dates unknown), as well as deputy clerk of the Iowa Historical building. In July 1912, he was named the Grand Master of the Colored Masons
of Iowa.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
newspaper the Iowa Bystander
Iowa Bystander
The Iowa Bystander is an Iowa newspaper targeted toward an African-American audience. It was founded in Des Moines on June 8, 1894 by William Coalson. From 1896–1922 the publisher was John L. Thompson. In 1922, Thompson sold the newspaper to World War I veteran James B. Morris for $1,700...
.
Thompson was born to Andy and Catherine Thompson in 1869, while the family lived in Decatur County. He was the first of four children (John, Eldora, Eddie), and had one older half-brother (Benjamin Sheppard). Born a slave in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, Andy Thompson was released by his master in 1862 and settled in Decatur County, Iowa. The elder Thompson put all his children through college with his earnings as a farmer on 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) in Decatur County.
Thompson graduated from Iowa Business College in 1896 and the Drake University Law School
Drake University Law School
Drake University Law School is a fully accredited law school of Drake University, located in Des Moines, Iowa. The school has over 400 full-time students. The school is presently led by Dean Allan Vestal. The most recent edition of US News and World Report's Best Law Schools ranked Drake in the...
in 1898. While still a student at Drake, he took over the newly founded Iowa State Bystander from original publisher William Coalson in 1896. He stayed in Des Moines for the rest of his life, and over the following years, he turned the newspaper into a successful enterprise by organizing aggressive subscription drives and threatened boycotts against businesses that refused to advertise in a black newspaper. During the First World War, Thompson dedicated entire issues of the Bystander to issues surrounding the Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas....
regiments stationed in Iowa's Camp Dodge
Camp Dodge
Camp Dodge is a military installation in the city of Johnston, Iowa. Centrally located near the capitol of Iowa, it currently serves as the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard. Original construction of the post began in 1907, to provide a place for the National Guard units to train...
. After Armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
, Thompson met many returning black veterans, including James B. Morris. Morris took over the Bystander in 1922.
In addition to his work in journalism, Thompson and his wife, Maud Watkins-Thompson, were active in Iowan society. He served as deputy county treasurer in Polk County, Iowa
Polk County, Iowa
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 430,640 in the 2010 census, an increase from 374,601 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa...
(dates unknown), as well as deputy clerk of the Iowa Historical building. In July 1912, he was named the Grand Master of the Colored Masons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
of Iowa.