David P. Thompson

David P. Thompson
5th United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire
In office 1892–1893
Preceded by	Solomon Hirsch
Succeeded by	Alexander W. Terrell
24th Mayor of Portland, Oregon
In office 1879–1882
Preceded by	William Spencer Newbury
Succeeded by	J. A. Chapman
6th Governor of Idaho Territory
In office 1875–1876[1]
Preceded by	Thomas W. Bennett
Succeeded by	Mason Brayman
Member of the Oregon State Senate
In office 1868–1870
Personal details
Born	(1834-11-08)November 8, 1834 Cadiz, Ohio
Died	December 14, 1901(1901-12-14) (aged 67) Portland, Oregon
Political party	Republican; Democratic
Spouse	Mary R. Meldrum
Profession	Businessman
Signature

David Preston Thompson (November 8, 1834 – December 14, 1901) was an American businessman and politician in the Pacific Northwest. He was governor of the Idaho Territory from 1875 to 1876. A native of Ohio, he immigrated to the Oregon Territory in 1853. In Oregon, Thompson would become a wealthy business man, and served in the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as both a Republican and a Democrat, both before and after his time in Idaho, with election to both chambers of the legislature.

During the American Civil War he joined the United States Army, but remained in Oregon and did not see any action. In his later years, the father of three served as mayor of Portland, Oregon, and as United States minister to the Ottoman Empire. A Republican for most of his political career, he was a presidential elector for the party, and in 1890 was its candidate for Governor of Oregon. Thompson Elk Fountain, a statue and fountain in the middle of Main Street in downtown Portland, was donated by him to the city, and a city park in Northeast Portland is named in his honor.