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Richard Thatcher
American educator From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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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]
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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 to 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
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