Richard Thatcher

Richard Thatcher (March 23, 1846 – November 28, 1909) was an American educator, and Civil War veteran. He was a school administrator in Kansas and Oklahoma, hotel operator and the first President of Territorial Normal School, now the University of Central Oklahoma.

Richard Thatcher
1st President of Territorial Normal School
In office
November 1, 1891 – 1893
Succeeded byGeorge Winans
Personal details
Born(1846-03-23)23 March 1846
Alton, Illinois, U.S.
Died28 November 1909(1909-11-28) (aged 63)
Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S.
Spouse(s)Melissa Thatcher
Alma materMcKendree College
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1861–1865
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Early life

Richard Thatcher was born on March 23, 1846 in Alton, Illinois.[1] His father, John Wesley Thatcher was a reverend. At the age of 15 he left to join the Union Army as a member of the 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.[2] He was captured on July 22, 1864, and sent to the notorious Andersonville Prison, where he began to have chronic respiratory issues. He was later released during a prisoner exchange.[3][4] After the war he attended McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois and graduated in 1878.[1]

Academic career

Thatcher would be a superintendent in Kansas, before moving to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1890. He operated the Central Hotel until 1891 when he became the first president of Territorial Normal School.[2] He would hold that post until 1893. He would become principal of Edmond Schools from 1894-1895.[1][2] UCO would later name Thatcher Hall in his honor.[5]

Personal life

Thatcher married Melissa D. DeFord a native of Ashley, Illinois. They had five children, four daughters of whom survived infancy, Edna, Mae, Blanche, and Ethel.[1]

Thatcher was also a Freemason, reaching the 33rd degree, and was the second master of the Edmond Lodge.[1][2]

Death

Thatcher died on November 28, 1909 in Edmond, Oklahoma from complications from tuberculosis. He was 63 years old.[1][2]

References
  1. "Richard Thatcher President of Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma [1891-1893]". 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  2. David Randall Fisk (2014). Arcadia Publishing (ed.). Legendary Locals of Edmond Oklahoma. ISBN 9781467101233.
  3. Robert Scott Davis (2006). Ghosts and Shadows of Andersonville: Essays on the Secret Social Histories of America's Deadliest Prison. ISBN 9780881460124.
  4. Ed. Glennan (2013). Mercer University Press (ed.). Surviving Andersonville: One Prisoner's Recollections of the Civil War's Most Notorious Camp. ISBN 9780786473618.
  5. "UCO Holding Ceremony". newsok.com. March 31, 1997. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
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