Richard Thatcher

Richard Thatcher
1st President of Territorial Normal School
In office November 1, 1891 – 1893
Succeeded by	George Winans
Personal details
Born	(1846-03-23)23 March 1846 Alton, Illinois, U.S.
Died	28 November 1909(1909-11-28) (aged 63) Edmond, Oklahoma, U.S.
Spouse	Melissa Thatcher
Alma mater	McKendree College
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Battles/wars	American Civil War

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.

Early life

Richard Thatcher was born on March 23, 1846, in Alton, Illinois. 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. 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. After the war he attended McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, and graduated in 1878.

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. He would hold that post until 1893. He would become principal of Edmond Schools from 1894 to 1895. UCO would later name Thatcher Hall in his honor.

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.

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

Death

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