Augustin Thompson

Augustin Thompson (Union, Maine on November 25, 1835 – June 8, 1903) was a physician, businessman and philanthropist who created the Moxie soft drink and the company that manufactures it (now part of the Kirin Holdings Company of Tokyo, Japan). In his earlier life, he was a Captain in the Union Infantry in American Civil War, and was later granted the rank of lieutenant colonel through an act of Congress.

The tonic, based upon his original patent medicine "Nerve Food" created in 1876, was first released as a syrup in 1884. In 1885, he received a trade mark for the term and released it as a carbonated beverage.

He is buried at the Lowell Cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Early life

Thompson was born in Union, Maine on November 25, 1835. In the early part of the American Civil War, he joined the Union Army as captain of Company G, 28th Maine Volunteer Infantry. He saw action in the Siege of Port Hudson in Donaldsonville, Louisiana as well as minor action at Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida. In 1865, Thompson was commander of the 7th Company Unassigned Maine Infantry at Fort Popham, Maine. Later in life he was granted the rank of lieutenant colonel through an act of Congress.