Alexander Thomson, the oldest male citizen of Crawfordsville and an honored pioneer passed into the life beyond at 9:15 o'clock last evening at his home on College Hill. Mr. Thomson had been feeble several years but not until about 16 weeks ago was he taken to his bed. His failure from that time was gradual and for several days it has been known he could not long survive. The deceased was born in Hamilton County, Ohio Jan 15, 1812 and came with his parents to this city in 1834. His father was a prominent Presbyterian minister of the early days and reached the ripe age of 86. His mother was spared until her 75th year. In his boyhood Alexander Thomson was the recipient of excellent educational advantages of which he availed himself to the utmost. For a time he pursued his studies at Miami University but at the close of his Junior year he was called from school life by illness in his family. He was in the prime of his vigorous and stalwart manhood when he came to Crawfordsville in 1835 and since that time his life has been inseparably interwoven with he history of our fair city, to the development of which he contributed in no small measure. After clerking for a time Mr. Thomson became deputy to County Clerk J.W. Lynn and while filling this position he employed his leisure hours in the study of law. In 1840 he was admitted to practice at the bar of the State of Indiana and formed a legal partnership with Benjamin Ristine the pioneer lawyer of Crawfordsville. This partnership continued 40 years. In 1864 he was elected Treasurer of Wabash College and from 1870 until his resignation in 1891 Mr. Thomson gave his time wholly to the demands of this responsible position. On the last day of the year in 1840, Mr. Thomson united in marriage to Miss Crawford, daughter of Alexander Crawford, in whose honor the city was named. They lived happily together until her death which occurred May 7, 1878. Three sons blessed the union, Everett B. and Henry R deceased and Rev. Edwin P. Thomson, who is now engaged in the ministry at Springifled, Ohio. During his residence here of over six decades, Mr. Thomson enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to an unlimited degree. He was a man among men, and his memory and good works are imperishable. The funeral will be conducted the family residence at 4 p.m. Wednesday by Dr. W.P. Kane. Interment at Oak Hill.
Crawfordsville Daily News Review, August 6, 1900
Contributor: R & Kim Hancock (47060780)