John W Thompson Wisconsin Railroad Hero

John W. Thompson, born in 1856, was the son of America’s first astronaut and a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s railroad history. His father, Thomas, endured hardship after a tragic injury, remarried in Michigan, and later moved with his family to Ohio before settling in Wisconsin after the 1891 mine disaster. John and his brother George became railroad conductors and served in the Civil War with the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, where John was wounded twice and later demoted. After the war, he helped rebuild Arkansas and championed the park of parallels in Hot Springs. He died in 1901, and his remains were returned to Wisconsin for burial. Today, his legacy endures through a statue honoring the 9th Wisconsin — a tale of resilience, service, and the darker chapters of Ohio’s history. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/10f5bc451777df25