It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce the death of Dr. John Henry Thompson, Mytholmroyd, which took place shortly after mid-day on Wednesday. The suddenness with which the end came caused quite a sensation in the village, and many people were deeply shocked. Within a short period of his passing away he was about the streets in his usual cheerful mood, talking and chatting with people with regard to a recent indisposition. In the suddenness of his end he had an often expressed wish realised. Many times he had said that he should like to be working one day and die the next, and that he dreaded a long illness. Last Tuesday week he had a severe attacked of influenza, and was confined to bed a few days. This confinement did not agree with his ideas, and before he ought he busied himself with his papers and writing, sitting up in bed. He was downstairs on Saturday and was exceedingly cheerful, and on Sunday he was in the garden. Since then he has been about the village, and would persist in attending some of the patients. On Wednesday morning he was again about, but shortly after his return to the house he had an attack of heart failure. His son, Dr. W. Thompson, fortunately was at home, and he administered different restoratives. For a time the patient rallied, but as the effects of the medicine passed off the heart became weaker, and he passed peacefully away at eight minutes to one. He was sensible up to within five minutes of his death.
The doctor has had a somewhat varied career, and has lived in many parts of the country. He was born on the 17th of December, 1840, at Bury St. Edmunds, and began life as a pupil teacher at Smallbridge. After serving his term as a P.T. he went to Durham training college, and after the usual course took charge of a school at Covon, near Penrith. From there he went to Darlington, where he took charge of the National school: he also held the position of master in the Art school of that town. After a few years there he obtained the mastership of the National school at Penrith, and there also he was chosen master of the Art school. He spent a few years there, and eventually decided to go into the
MEDICAL PROFESSION
With that end in view he came to reside with his brother, Dr. William Thompson, who had a practice at Patmos, Todmorden, in order that he might attend Owens College, Manchester, going in the morning and returning in the evening; he also gave his brother some assistance. He became a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 1877, and in 1881 a licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. He took great interest in the St. John Ambulance movement, and in recognition of his services he was made a life member and examiner. To this work he has devoted a great deal of attention; he has been the instructor of many classes, and was very popular with the students. In 1877, soon after obtaining his first degree, he began to practice in Mytholmroyd, taking up his residence in Church-street, afterwards removing to Calder-grange. It is difficult to adequately enumerate all the activities in which the doctor has participated for the good and wellbeing of the district. He became so attached to the village and its surroundings that he considered no exertions too great to make for the people and the district so far as his circumstances would allow him. His kindly advice to mothers and others, though not at all times appreciated, was meant for their good, and acknowledged as such later. He was ever ready, day and night, to attend to the calls of the sick and suffering, though the only reward he often got was the sense of satisfaction of knowing that he had done what he could. His cheery talk very often acted as a tonic to the bed-ridden. For 32 years he laboured with devotion and attention to his calling, and we can only think that it was his intense devotion to the profession of his adoption that brought about his sudden end. He was a man of great physical and mental activity, coupled with a buoyant and hopeful spirit, and it was his reliance on these that enabled him so recently to be about the village. His life has been well spent, and his familiar figure will be greatly missed from the district. When his son, Dr. Willie, qualified, he tried to relieve his father, and to some extent did so, taking much of the night work, which is the bane of the medical profession. After this, the elder gentleman was affectionately called "Th' Old Doctor," but with not the least disrespect for him.
Public Work
His deep interest in the district led him to inaugurate the agitation to secure a separate Local Board area for Mytholmroyd; along with others he urged the matter at an inquiry which was held with regard to the application. Prior to this the district had gained an unenviable notoriety for infectious disease, but the doctor lived to see the district become one of the healthiest in the West Riding. He was one of the gentleman who were first chosen to administer the Local Government Act, but he did not remain very long in that position, resigning in order to become the medical officer, an appointment which he entered upon on the 1st April 1892. In that position he laboured hard to remove the causes of infectious disease, and he was rewarded with success. He resigned his position on the 3rd April, 1905, and his son was appointed in his place. In connection with the office of medical officer the doctor became a member of the Royal Sanitary Institute. The resignation was not allowed to pass without some tangible recognition of his services, a beautiful illuminated address, inscribed in the following terms, being presented to him:
"Mytholmroyd Urban District Council. To J.H. Thompson, Esq., L.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Calder-grange, Mytholmroyd. Dear sir, - You having resigned the office of medical officer of health, we, the members of the Mytholmroyd Urban District Council, feel that we ought not to allow you to separate yourself from us without recording our appreciation of the very valuable services which you as medical officer of health have rendered to the district. We recall the time when Mytholmroyd was part of several sanitary districts, very much neglected, and in an insanitary condition. It was largely owing to your initiative and services that the present Mytholmroyd urban district was formed. You were appointed medical officer of health, and since you appointment the sanitation and health of the district have very much improved and now compare favourably with any other district in the West Riding. We believe that this result has been brought about largely by your efforts. You have been not only faithful but most enthusiastic in the discharge of your duties, and we recognise that great skill and professional ability which you have shown in the discharge of your duties. You have naturally desired, in the evening of life, to have more leisure. We hope that you will be long spared, in health and strength, to enjoy that leisure, and will always look back with satisfaction to the time when you were our medical officer of health, and be pleased to think that that period is gratefully remembered by the Council, whom you have served, and by the ratepayers, whose welfare you have so very much promoted. Dated this 17th day of May, 1905. J.H. Knott (chairman), Clarence Wm. Greenwood (vice-chairman), Jas. Simpson, Chas. Robertshaw, Ernest Smith, Nathan Priestley, John Walton, Jno. Hy. Helliwell, John Culpan, Jas. Maude, Joseph Sutcliffe, Saml. Stansfield, Saml. Sutcliffe, surveyor; Jno. E. Craven, clerk."
In making the presentation, Mr. J.H. Knott, who was chairman of the Council, paid a high compliment to the doctor, describing him as a hard worker. Speeches were also delivered by Mr. J. Simpson, Mr. Jno. Walton, the clerk (Mr. Craven), and the surveyor (Mr. S. Sutcliffe). The doctor reviewed the work done by the Council, and expressed his deep obligation to the donors of the testimonial and for the words of the speakers. On the following day the doctor was presented with a splendid tea and coffee service, on oak tray, purchased with funds raised by the public subscription. Engraved on a silver plate was the following: "Presented to Dr. J.H. Thompson by the public, on his retirement after 13 years service as medical officer f health. 17th June, 1905. Mytholmroyd Urban District."
This present was handed over by Mr. T. Ashton, on behalf of the subscribers, who, along with others spoke highly of the doctor's work.
When Dr. Thompson retired from the post of medical officer it was his intention to take things easier, and with that idea he went to reside at Colwyn Bay, with the view of spending his later days in that salubrious district. But he had not reckoned with himself. His attachment to the district where he had spent so many years of activity, and to which he was bound by so many domestic and friendly ties, soon brought him back again in his familiar haunts, passing in and out amongst the people. Beyond paying frequent short visits to Colwyn Bay he did not spend much time at that seaside resort. He has since given considerable help to his son, who took up his practice.
Education
Though he had entered the medical profession, his educational instincts were not allowed to become dormant, and whenever opportunity arose he advocated the claims of a sound education. He was elected a member of the Hebden-bridge U.D. School Board, but only remained on period. He has delivered scores of addresses urging young people to make the vest use of their opportunities; he also lectured on social problems and other topics which had in view the uplifting of the people, and improving them physically and morally. With the same end in view he advocated the formation of a Brotherhood in connection with the village church; he entered into the scheme with his usual characteristic energy, and had the satisfaction of seeing it placed on a firm basis. He has been the president from the beginning to the time of his death. He worked hard and at the very time when he was suffering from the attack of influenza he was sat up in bed addressing the syllabuses of the coming winter session to send away. He felt that he could no do too much for the organisation which will greatly miss him.
He was a most devoted and devout member of the Church of England, and was ever ready to advocate its claims and uphold its traditions. But he was by no means intolerant towards the Nonconformist churches of the village, as shown by his numerous kindly acts and the help he gave them. He has long been officially connected with St. Michael's Church, and the clergy who have had charge of the parish during his time have found him a genuine helper. He worked heart and soul for the extension and improvement of the fabric and the burial ground. On the occasion of the bazaar last year he wrote an exhaustive history of the church from its foundation up to date. Of the 30 churchwardens who have held office from 1848 to 1908, he has held the office for a longer period than anyone. For 15 years he discharged the duties with fidelity and devotion, and at a time when a good officer was highly necessary. He was first appointed in 1880, and held the position one year; from 1891 to 1904 he was continually in office, finally retiring in that year. His intention was to rest awhile, and the vestry meeting paid him a richly deserved compliment for his long and faithful service. This however did not mean that he cut himself off from the work of the church; the vestry meeting would not hear of him being left off the official list, and each year it has appointed him a sidesman. In Sunday school work he took a deep interest, and for a number of years has been the teacher of the boys' class on alternate Sundays, and in many other branches of school work he has been a devoted helper. He had much artistic knowledge, and painted many pictures of considerable merit. Latterly he has paid attention to photography, and has left a large collection of his handiwork. A week or two hence he should have addressed an old scholars' gathering at Smallbridge.
For his first wife he married a Miss Wilson [sic], of Cliffon, near Penrith, and she died 27 years ago. His second wife was Mrs. Elwood, Preston, and she passed away six years ago, and was buried in the village churchyard. He has had four children, but only two survive him. The widest breach will be felt in the family, where he was adored, and his little grandson who has been his daily companion since he could toddle, will feel his loss. The church and school too will feel their loss keenly. From the steeple of the church the flag floats at half mast out of respect for him.
The internment will take place to-morrow, in the village churchyard.
Source: The District News, 10 September 1909, Page 8