Tompkins, Frank H.

A major in the U.S. Army and a survivor of Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus, New Mexico in 1916.

Frank Tompkins (1868-1954) was born in Washington, DC, the son of Charles H. Tompkins (1830-1915). His thirty-two years of service with the U.S. Army included stations in Cuba, the Philippines, Mexico and France. He became well-known for his pursuit of Mexican revolutionary, Francisco Villa during the Mexican border skirmishes of 1916. During World War I, Tompkins commanded Boston's famous 301st Infantry. Colonel Tompkins was associated with Norwich University for nearly fifty years, through three tours of duty as professor of military science and tactics and as commandant from 1910 to 1923. Largely through the efforts of Tompkins, Norwich received the Moses Taylor riding hall (later became the Taylor hockey arena), the cavalry stables, Sabine field and, because of his connection with Rush Hawkins, a contribution from General Hawkins of $400,000.00. Frank Tompkins married Alice Gertrude Barr (1870-1964) in 1893 and the couple had two sons, Charles Barr Tompkins (1893-1894) and Francis Parker Tompkins (1896-1971). Additional biographical information on the life and career of Frank Tompkins can be found in control and articles about Frank Tompkins files in the collection.