[2] He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War as a second lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

[2] He served until March 23, 1863, when he was discharged on account of wounds received in the Second Battle of Bull Run.

[1] He was appointed by President McKinley as chairman of the commission to revise and codify the criminal and penal laws of the United States on June 21, 1897.

[2] Thompson received a recess appointment from President William McKinley on September 23, 1898, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio vacated by Judge George Read Sage.

[2] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress