San Francisco County
Biographies
JUDGE
ROBERT THOMPSON
Judge Robert
Thompson.—There are certainly few names better known, or even more favorably known,
to San Franciscans, than that which heads this sketch. He has been a resident of California ever
since 1849, and in San Francisco for many years
past. His philanthropic work in
different channels since his residence here has made him known to many who
would have never learned of him through his practice, and possibly vice
versa. Being a gentleman of most
kindly sympathies and pleasing manner, it is but natural that he should have
many friends throughout the State. In
many lines of work and thought he shows a youthful ambition, and we doubt not
that he will carry on his work with the same energy to the last, and then
resign it well content. Indeed he shows
in his manner a life well passed, having no regrets over opportunities wasted.
He was born in Waldo county, Maine, of a good American family, established in New England in Colonial days. His people went to Maine from Massachusetts, where they had originally located on their arrival from the mother country. With the history of New England, Judge Thompson is familiar. He remembers his grandmother speaking of the battle of Lexington, of which she was indeed a spectator. This lady, like many of his people, lived to a ripe old age—ninety-eight years. Judge Thompson’s father was a militiaman in the war of 1812. The family were generally farmers. Judge Thompson, our subject, was educated in Massachusetts,, from 1840, the year of his arrival there. He also commenced the study of law there, and continued it at Philadelphia. Prior to the gold discovery he came westward and traveled about a year in the Western States. He went down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi, and returned to Philadelphia by way of the lakes. It was his intention to follow up the study of law at the latter city, and after his admission to the bar begin his practice in Chicago, but the great gold discovery in California changed his mind.
He left Philadelphia February 1, 1849, with some forty others, on the schooner Thomas Walter, commanded by her owner, after whom it was named, and arrived at Tampico, Mexico, on the 22d. There they engaged horses for riding, and mules for their goods, and so crossed the country to Mazatlan, consuming forty-three days in the journey. At that time of the year it was pleasant enough, and they met with no serious accident or sickness on the way. From Mazatlan their troubles really began. There was then lying there a Mexican schooner of some twenty-three tons, the San Blasina, and this vessel they chartered, or rather she was turned over to them for their passage money. About thirty-five agreed to make the venture, although several hesitated, the vessel was so small and seemingly not stanch. When the passengers took possession it was without wood or water. There was then in the harbor an English whaler, and from this vessel a number of casks were bought, and these were taken on board at night so as to avoid the heavy Mexican duty on such a sale. Water was put in these at San Jose, so they ran some forty miles beyond and there hove to and cleaned and burned out the casks for fresh water. At this place a Scotch bark, the Coloma, was at anchor. A week after they started out again. A gale came up and their boat was swamped, their oars lost, and the sails torn. To renew the later Judge Thompson gave them some of his tents.
The next day they arrived at Cape San Lucas, where several left the vessel. Two friends of Judge Thompson advised him also to do the same; but, as they were unused to roughing it, and the intention of the others being to walk to California, he refused to do so unless a German named Beck,—like himself, a good shot and with experience of outdoor life,—also agreed to go along. Beck finally fell in with the plan. They started along the gulf short and came to where the Coloma was lying. The alcalde of the place strongly advised against such an undertaking as theirs, and although the Coloma was crowded they were finally admitted aboard. All the passengers but one agreed to this, and even he was willing to except that he wished to be free in case he should desire to proceed against the captain for overcrowding, and he refused to sign the petition with the others. However they all went aboard, and finally reached San Francisco, after a passage of thirty-five days, June 25, 1849.
Going to Sacramento on a New York pilot boat that had come around the Horn, Judge Thompson recruited his depleted energies for a few days, and then proceeded to the north fork of the American river and spent the summer mining there, being fairly successful, making about an ounce a day. His was a large company there, and they worked together well. When sick or from other cause he could not work, the Judge found a substitute, but at a high price, one time paying and Irishman $12 just for one day’s work! During the following autumn he returned to Sacramento, bought a lot and began on it a general merchandise business, in a rudely constructed store, or rather tent, on K street. The great flood of 1850, however, damaged trade so badly that he had to leave, although he had done very well up to that time.
Next with two Ohio men he bought some stock, but he soon sold out his interest, and in the spring of 1851 he went to Calaveras county, where he resumed his law studies, was admitted to the bar and practiced some eleven years, enjoying a good patronage. He was elected Superintendent of the schools there, and also Justice of the Peace several times,—in fact as long as he desired it. As a Justice he often sat as an associate of the County Judge in certain cases, and hence his title as “Judge.” From 1863 to 1867 he followed his profession as an attorney in Alpine county, and since that time he has been a resident of San Francisco, practicing his profession with signal success. Three-fourths of it has been in bankruptcy cases in the Federal Courts. In this class of litigation he has certainly had great experience; but he is good also in general law.
Judge Thompson has always been one of the strongest temperance advocates on the coast, and has specially advanced the cause of the Good Templars. He is a trustee of the Orphan’s Home at Vallejo, of which his wife, formerly Miss Caroline Batchelder, was one of the lady managers, being president of the board, indeed, for about fourteen years. Judge Thompson first met her in Andover, Massachusetts, where he taught school in his young days, and he afterward married her in New York city. Two years and a half afterward he returned East from California by way of the Isthmus, and brought her here by way of Cape Horn. The Judge also belongs to the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and, naturally, to the Society of Pioneers. He is one of the Odd Fellows’ Hall Association. He has three children. His son resides at Suňol; one daughter is the wife of Rev. H. H. Rice, and the other married Fred Warren, of the South San Francisco Water Company.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2,
pages 72-74, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2005 Donna L. Becker.