Dr. R. H. Thompson, formerly Health Officer at this port, died recently at his residence in Brooklyn, after a short illness. His age was 47 years. He was a native of Rennselaer County, in this State; practiced medicine in Albany for ten years, and removed to Staten Island in 1855, having received the appointment of Health Officer. He held that position for four years, and it was in the last year of his term that the Quarantine riots occurred, in which he was a sufferer - his house having been burned by the rioters, with all its contents, and his family narrowly escaping with their lives. In 1858 Dr. Thompson removed to Brooklyn, and interested himself in various measures of public improvement; becoming President of the Brooklyn Central and Jamaica Railroad and Park Commissioner, and finally was appointed Quarantine Commissioner in 1863, to protect and represent the interests of the City of Brooklyn. To his skill as a physician and his executive talent, the port of New York is largely indebted for its present immunity from the epidemics incident to emigration and foreign commerce. His codification of the health laws, adopted by the Legislature of this State, is now in force.

Source: NY Times, Wednesday, Nov 23, 1864

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