Charles H. Thompson

Charles Henry Thompson (December 11, 1882 – November 26, 1972) is an American politician and judge who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois (1942–1951) and a member of the Illinois State Senate (1927–1933, 1937–1942), and the state's attorney of Saline County, Illinois (1920–1924). While on the state supreme court, he was twice the court's chief justice (1945–1946, 1949–1950).

Early life and education Thompson was born on December 11, 1882 In 1884, he and his family moved to Harrisburg in Saline County, Illinois. By 1910, his father had begun mining coal, and Charles was working as a bookkeeper in the coal office. In 1914, Charles married Ethel K. Knight of Harrisburg.

In 1926, he was elected as a Republican to represent the 51st district in the Illinois State Senate.

Supreme Court of Illinois (1942–1951) In 1942, Thompson won election to a first district seat on the Supreme Court of Illinois. He served until retiring from the court in 1951. Twice during his judgeship, he was the court's chief justice (first in 1945 and 1946; again in 1949 and 1950).

Later career After retiring from the court, Thompson returned to practicing law in Harrisburg.

Personal life Thompson was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, and also a member of the Harrisburg Masonic Lodge and Knights Templar.

In 1914, Thompson married Ethel K. Knight. He was widowed on November 3, 1967, when she died. Thompson died on November 26, 1972, and was buried at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Harrisburg, where his late wife had been buried years earlier.