Résumé

Charles Lawton Thompson had a versatile working life. At various points, he had employment as a farmer, shoemaker, stone cutter and architect. It appears that he transitioned permanently to architecture while he lived in Salt Lake City, UT, during the 1880s and 1890s.

Shoemaker, Middleborough, MA, c. 1862. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, accessed 04/10/2024.)

Service, Union Navy, US Civil War, c. 1862-1863.

Stone mason, Cawker, KS, 1880. Ths was the same vocation as that of a likely relative, George Thompson, who lived close by to Charles in 1850 in Middleborough, MA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: 333; Page: 235a, accessed 04/10/2024.)

Partner, Thompson and Weigel, Architects, Salt Lake City, UT, 1890- 1893 . In 1890, Thompson and Weigel practiced in an office located at 129 South Main Street in Salt Lake City. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1890, p. 599.) Between 1890 and 1893, his son Charles B. Thompson worked as a draftsman in the Thompson and Weigel office. Thompson and Weigel likely ceased operations in 1893. It is possible that the severe economic depression that struck the US after 1893 reduced building activity in Salt Lake City, and forced the closure of Thompson and Weigel.

Miner, Salt Lake City, UT, 1894, 1897. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1894, p. 718 and R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1897, p. 646.) While Charles Lawton became a miner, Charles Bennett Thompson ogtained employment as a clerk with Miller and Miller, a business that sold coal, grain and flour in Salt Lake City. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1894, p. 520.)

Architect, Salt Lake City, UT, 1896. It does not appear that Charles Lawton Thompson had his own architectural firm in 1896, but likely worked for someone else. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1896, p. 754.)

Partner, Thompson and Thompson, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1899-1927. Thompson and Thompson operated in Room #75 of the Dester Horton Bank Building in 1899. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1899, p. 953.)

While the firm carried his name, Charles Lawton Thompson retired some years before his death in 1927. He suffered from diabetes and this condition likely precluded him from being active professionally into his 80s. The office was continued by his son, who only changed the firm name after his father's death.

Relocation

Born in the area around Middleborough, MA, Charles Lawton Thompson had a long architectural career in various US cities. Some sources indicated that he was born in Halifax, MA, while others indicated that it was Middleborough, MA. The two cities were close by to each other and it is possible that Charles was born on his parents' farm in the countryside between Halifax and Middleborough in Plymouth County.

The 1850 Census for Middleborough contained the names of a number of Thompsons living in close proximity to the residence of Charles's parents Philander Thompson and Eliza Gates. (A possible relative, George Thompson [born c. 1789 in MA], a stone cutter, had assets of $5,000, a large sum for the time.) Philander and Eliza lived on a farm owned by Venne Thompson (born c. 1796 in MA) and Philander was listed as working as a shoemaker. It appears that many MA residents of this time period both farmed and pursued shoemaking at the same time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: 333; Page: 235a, accessed 04/10/2024.)

According to the 1860 US Census, Philander Thompson and Eliza Giles ran their own farm near Middleborough, MA. The family was of relatively modest means just before the Civil War, as they owned $1,200 worth of real estate and had $200 in other assets. Neighboring farmers possessed assets ranging from $1,100 to $5,000. Nearly all of the Thompson's immediate neighbors had been born in MA, save for a few born in ME. The household consisted of his parents and two brothers and three sisters: Henry A. Thompson, Philander W. Thompson, Ann E. Thompson, Ellen M. Thompson and Weltha Thompson. In 1860, his brother Henry worked as a shoemaker, a common profession in the area aside from farming. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Middleborough, Plymouth, Massachusetts; Roll: M653_519; Page: 265; Family History Library Film: 803519, accessed 04/09/2024.) A 1862 US Naval induction register indicated that Charles also pursued shoemaking as a vocation. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, accessed 04/10/2024.)

Thompson joined the Union Navy on 08/13/1862 and fought during the Civil War. He was inducted for service at New Bedford, MA on the coast about 22 miles south of Middleborough. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, accessed 04/10/2024.) After the war, Charles was active in the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), the Union Army veteran's organization.

Lawton married Lillias H. Lines in Cawker City, KS, in 1872. The couple were counted in the 1875 KS State Census, as was their son Charles B. Thompson, who was born in that city. At this time, Charles Lawton and his wife were farmers. They owned $220 worth of assets, according to the census document. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1875 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: ks1875_13; Line: 11, accessed 04/10/2024.)

By 1880, he worked as a stone mason in Cawker City, KS, and resided in a house at 5558 10th Avenue with his wife, son Charles, daughter Lillian, a domestic worker, Jennie Goss (born c. 1859 in IA) and a boarder, Gary Willey (born c. 1859 in MI), who worked as a musician. Cawker City was a town in Mitchell County, in north-central KS, established by Colonel E. H. Cawker in 1872, when he erected a house there. He gave his name to the city as a result of winning a poker game, supposedly. The city developed during the first years that the Thompsons lived there, between 1872 and 1874, and incorporated on 03/20/1874. It grew quickly during the 1870s and 1880s, and likely provided Charles Lawton Thompson early experience in the building trades, particularly as a stone cutter. Cawker City's population peaked somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 residents in 1880 and declined thereafter.

Thompson may have moved to Salt Lake City, UT, by the early 1880s. A "Charles Thompson" resided at 7 North Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets in Salt Lake City. (See Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1883, p. 287.) The following year, an entry for a "Charles Thompson," who worked as a shoemaker, appeared in the Utah Gazzetteer, (p. 591). This Charles Thompson lived 11 East Sixth Street South. Charles Lawton and his family made their home at 605 East 5th Street South in 1891. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1891, p. 686.) The following year, Charles Lawton had moved to 206 West South Temple Street, although Charles Bennett obtained housing of his own at 425 East 3rd Street South. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1892, p. 698.) Charles Bennett moved back to the family residence at 206 West South Temple Street in 1893. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1893, p. 789.) During the period of transition after the closure of the Thompson and Weigel architectural office, Charles Lawton, Charles Bennett and their family relocated to 610 East South Temple Street. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1894, p. 718.) The Thompsons dwelled at 558 3rd Street East by 1896. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1896, p. 768.) In 1897-1898, the Thompsons had yet another home address, this one at 72 West 5th Street South. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1897, p. 646 and R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1898, p.788.) This period of life in Salt Lake City was likely marked by some financial distress, particularly after 1893. as evidenced by the family's periodic changes of address.

Between 1890-c. 1898, he operated an architectural practice in Salt Lake City, UT. The architect shifted to Seattle, WA, sometime in either late 1898 or early 1899. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Salt Lake City, Utah, City Directory, 1899, p. 816.)

The Thompsons dwelled at 218 9th Avenue South just after arriving in Seattle in 1900, the household including Charles Lawton, Eliza and their daughter Lillian. Charles Lawton Thompson lived at 218 9th Avenue South just after arriving in the city in 1900. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1900, p. 1014.) (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1900, p. 1014.) Charles Bennett did not make his way to the Pacific Nortwest until sometime in 1900. He was recorded as living with his parents and sister at 218 9th Avenue South according to the 1900 US Census dated 06/12/1900. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Seattle Ward 2, King, Washington; Roll: 1744; Page: 7; Enumeration District: 0086, accessed 04/11/2024.)

Charles Lawton made his residence at 533 11th Avenue North between 1901 and 1904. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1901, p. 1147 and Polk Seattle Directory Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1904, p. 1230.) In 1907, His address was simply listed as "Ballard." (See R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle City Directory, p. 1127.)

By 1910, the architect lived with Lillias and a housekeeper, Hilda Hanson (born c. 1891 in Norway) in a residence at 3320 West 72nd Street in Seattle. Hilda had immigrated to the US in 1909. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 13, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1660; Page: 4a; Enumeration District: 0362; FHL microfilm: 1375673, accessed 04/10/2024.) Charles Lawton lived at 3320 West 72nd in 1913, while his son resided across the street at 3321. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1913, p. 1557.) A year later, Charles Lamont had moved 3907 Eddy Street in the Hillman City section of Seattle, while Charles Bennett remained in situ.

Thompson died of a diabetic coma at age 85. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Death Index, 1940-2017, accessed 04/09/2024.)

Parents

His father was Philander Thompson (born 09/08/1800 in Middleborough, MA-d. 08/09/1877 in Middleborough, MA), a farmer in Plymouth County, MA. He wed Eliza Giles (born 01/05/1813 in Northampton, MA-d. 09/24/1893 in Plymouth County, MA), with whom he operated the farm and raised nine children, Charles Lawton being the fifth eldest. They included: Angeline F. Thompson Cornish (born 09/12/1835 in Middleborough, MA-d. 04/26/1921 in Middleborough, MA), Henry Austin Thompson (born 03/16/1837 in Middleborough, MA-d. 03/16/1909 in Middleborough, MA), Mary Elizabeth Thompson (born 02/04/1839 in MA-d. 09/09/1927 in Middleborough, MA), Philander W. Thompson (born 11/30/1840 in Middleborough, MA-d. 01/26/1892 in East Bridgewater, MA), Anne E. Thompson (born 05/17/1844 in MA), Catharine Lawton Thompson (born 10/12/1846 in MA-d. 09/09/1847 in Middleborough, MA), Ellen Whitmore Thompson Gray (born 10/13/1848 in Middleborough, MA-d. 10/07/1920 in Middleborough, MA) and Weltha Emma Thompson (born 01/23/1849 in Middleborough, MA-d. 11/04/1928 in Middleborough, MA).

Spouse

Charles L. Thompson married Lillias Harriet Lines, (her middle name perhaps spelled "Harriett" or "Harriot," born in Simsbury, CT) on 1872 in Cawker City, KS. (Some documents erroneously called her "Lillian" not Lillias.) Lillias attended the Poughkeepsie Female Collegiate Institute in Poughkeepsie, NY, in 1865. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., High School Student Lists, 1821-1923 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012, accessed 04/10/2024.) This day and boarding school for young women was established in 1848. A Hudson River Valley Heritage.org website noted of its curriculum: "...It is known that physical exercise was deemed very important, as is evident by the emphasis on daily walks and use of the school’s gymnasium. Courses offered during Rev. Rice’s time as principal included basics in arithmetic, geography, history, English, and the sciences (botany, chemistry, physiology, astronomy, and geology), as well as mental philosophy and natural theology." (See Hudson River Valley Heritage.org, "Poughkeepsie Female Institute," accessed 04/10/2024.) Most young women of Lillias's time did not receive the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education at the time, and this must have cost a significant amount for her family. Given her family's meager assets, it is unknown how they afforded Lillias's boarding school fees.

Lillias and Charles likely met in Cawker City, where the Lines family was living in 1875, and probably by the early 1870s. They were recorded as still residing in Litchfield, CT, as per the 1870 US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut; Roll: M593_105; Page: 170B, accessed 04/10/2024.)

Her parents were Nathaniel Bennett Lines (born c. 1825 in CT-d. 11/19/1905 in Ballard, WA), who worked as a joiner in 1850, and Esther Lillias Gates (born 10/21/1827 in Litchfield County, CT-d. 12/23/1906 in Ballard, WA), who managed the household. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Simsbury, Hartford, Connecticut; Roll: 39; Page: 214a, accessed 04/10/2024.) The 1860 Census indicated that Nathaniel worked as a carpenter. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Southbury, New Haven, Connecticut; Roll: M653_82; Page: 1185; Family History Library Film: 803082, accessed 04/10/2024.)

Children

Charles Lawton Thompson and Lillias Lines had two children: Charles Bennett Thompson (born 06/16/1873 in Cawker City, KS-d. 11/29/1956 in Everett, WA) and Lillian Esther Thompson Orvis (born 03/23/1876 in Cawker City, KS-d. 07/06/1959 in WA).

Charles Bennett would work with Charles Lawton Thompson from about 1899 until the 1920s.

Biographical Notes

His Civil War induction register listed him as being 5-feet, 8-and-1/2-inches tall with blue/hazel eyes, dark hair and a sallow, Caucasian complexion. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. U.S., Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014, accessed 04/10/2024.)

Member, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Stevens Post, Seattle, WA.

Prior to 04/09/2024, PCAD mistakenly referred to Charles Lawton Thompson as "Charles P. Thompson."