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Mark Thompson
G.A.R. POST 269 |
CLICK ON NAME TO SEE PHOTO
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Mark Thompson
G.A.R. POST 269 |
| PLAINWELL GAR (Names are on picture) |
| CPL. MARCUS C. THOMPSON GRAVESTONE, ANDERSON NATIONAL CEMETERY, GEORGIA |
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CPL. MARCUS THOMPSON ANDERSON MEMORIAL
STONE, WOODSIDE CEMETERY, GUN PLAINS TWP., ALLEGAN COUNTY, MICHIGAN |
| EUREKA OPERA HOUSE, PLAINWELL, MICHIGAN |
| I have lived in Plainwell, Allegan
County, Michigan for most of my life. After years of seeing the GAR Post
269 flag holders in the local cemeteries, I finally decided to investigate the Mark Thompson G.A.R. POST 269 located in Plainwell. First I sent away to the Michigan State Archives. They sent me a copy of the first Adjutant’s Report of POST 269. Dated October 29th, 1884, it states 25 members in good standing. The officers are as follows— Post Commander-Norton P. Kellogg Senior Vice Commander-D. E. White Junior Vice Commander-H. D. Talbot Adjutant-O. Tomlinson Quarter Master-Elias Anway Surgeon-John Heath Chaplain- John Garver Officer of the Day -C. J. Poore Officer of the Guard-Arthur Lillec Sergeant Major-H. L. Laine Quarter Master Sergeant-C. E. Whitney They met at first, on every alternate Wednesday, in the Plainwell Grange No. 271 on Bridge Street. I have yet to locate where the Grange was on Bridge Street. Through the years they changed meeting places. In 1891 they opened a new hall above the Bliss Shoe Store. The fire map for 1904 shows the G.A.R. Hall to be located in the old Eureka Opera House on the corner of Chart and South Main Streets. I want to thank Ms. Sandra Stamm for her help in locating these facts on Post 269. The Mark Thompson G.A.R. Post 269 was named to honor a native son from Gun Plains Township, Allegan County, Michigan who gave his life for the cause. Marcus C. Thompson enlisted as a Private on 21 August 1862 at the age of 19 in Company I, 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment. He was one of “CUSTER’S WOLVERINES”. He was eventually promoted to Full Corporal. On 11 June 1864 at Trevillian Station, VA, he was taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville Prison. He died of dysentery on 03 September 1864 in Andersonville Prison. He is buried in Andersonville National Cemetery in grave 7797. Here are some statements concerning Cpl. Thompson from the Memories of Mrs. Sophia Bush 1820-1908. Mrs. Bush is also buried at Woodside Cemetery! I quote--- “Marcus, Dr. Thompson’s second son, went into the army at the age of 19 and became a martyr to the cause of freedom. He died in Andersonville Prison. The Plainwell Grand Army Post was named for him”. Also she wrote,” When the second call for troops came, most of the lads on the Plains” (Gun Plain Township), “were not of age to enlist, nor could have endured camp life. Several did go who might better have stayed at home, for they lost their lives. Marcus Thompson, a delicate young man, was taken prisoner and cast into Andersonville, where he died a martyr, to starvation. It was Mr. John Murphy who brought home the intelligence of Marcus Thompson’s death. I remember going to Silver Creek with Mrs. Thompson to see him, but we did not find him at home. He afterwards called upon Mrs. Thompson. William White, who was also a prisoner at Andersonville, came to see Mrs. Thompson at the close of the war and brought messages. He told her all about her son’s sickness and suffering, and of the condition of things in prison. Mr. White, being a stronger man, was able to do a good deal for Marcus.” At Woodside Cemetery, Gun Plains Township, Allegan County in the Thompson Family plot, his family erected a Memorial stone. Next his mother’s grave there stands this stone, placed their by his family over 130 years ago. To ensure we never forget what he did for his country! On the personal side of this essay for me is, my wife and I own a piece of the land that Dr. Cyrennus Thompson, Marcus’ father once owned. Sometimes, I can almost see in my backyard a young Marcus playing, hunting etc. Never realizing in his carefree youth that he would be one of the BRAVE that would die for his country, OUR country. Thanks: John R. Keith Camp Commander Gen. Benjamin Pritchard, Camp 20 Department of Michigan Department Historian Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War |
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