The Thompson Families of Buchanan County, Iowa

GEORGE G. THOMPSON.

George G. Thompson, who was a farmer of Buchanan county and who passed away here, was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, in November, 1818. Upon removing to the west he settled first in Kane county. Illinois, in 1847, and remained there for some time. However, in February, 1865, he came to Iowa and purchased two hundred and forty acres situated on section 36, Madison township, this county. He continued to cultivate his farm until his death and Avas known as a prosperous and wide-awake agriculturist, using improved machinery in the work of the fields and following progressive methods. His death, which occurred in February, 1890, was" a loss to the agricultural interests of the community and was widely and sincerely mourned.

In 1840 Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Surbaugli. who was also born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, on New Year's day, 1819. Their marriage occurred in their native state and she accompanied her husband successively to Illinois and to Iowa. To them were born seven children, all natives of Illinois with exception of the eldest who was born in West Virginia. They are as follows: Mrs. INIary Jane Preussner, residing near Dundee, Iowa; Mrs. Martha J. Conner, living at Alta, Iowa; Henry B., in the state of Oregon; Mrs. Sabina Brigham. who makes her home at Alexander, North Dakota; George P., who lives in Lamont, Iowa; Mrs. Melcina Bond, a resident of Gresham, Nebraska; and Jolm D., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Thompson died December 1, 1900. Both parents were well known in their locality and enjoyed the goodwill and respect of all.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN D. THOMPSON.

John D. Thompson has been engaged in business in Lamont for many years and is now the owner of a general store. Also for a time he served as postmaster of the town. He was born in Kane county, Illinois, May 19, 1860, and received his education in the country schools near Lamont, his parents removing to this county while he was still a child. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age and then for four years operated a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 36, Madison township. At the end of that time he removed to Lamont and purchased a half interest in a furniture and undertaking business. He was appointed postmaster of the town under Cleveland's administration and held that office for four years or from 1892 to 1896. He still retained his interest in the furniture and undertaking establishment while serving as postmaster and in the meantime became connected with the coal, feed, grain and stock business. He eventually sold his interests in all of these undertakings save the stock business, which he has continued to engage in to some extent ever since. In 1900 he invested in a meat market, which he conducted until 1912, and still owns the building and fixtures. While he was engaged in the butcher business he was elected secretary of the Cooperative Creamery, which is located in Lamont, and held that responsible position Tor seven years. For the last three years he has been again engaged in mercantile business, conducting a general store in Lamont. He knows what lines of goods are demanded by his customers and spares neither time nor pains in securing a stock that best supplies the local demands. His business methods are above reproach and his patronage is growing steadily.

Mr. Thompson was married January 1, 1891, to Miss Sadie Colomey, a daughter of Levi and Mary (Hutchinson) Colomey. The father was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, February 26, 1832, and in 1867 came to Delaware county, Iowa, and settled upon a farm. However, he continued to follow his trade, which was that of a shoemaker, and resided in Delaware county until 1889, when he came to Buchanan county. His fe was born at Litchfield, Kennebec county, Elaine, February 12, 1834, and lived there until sixteen years of age, when she accompanied her parents to Massachusetts, her marriage occurring in Natick, that state. They had five children. Herbert Erwin, who resides in Kansas, has been twice married. Childs B. died when sixteen years of age. Anna May died when a child of three years. Sadie is now Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Etta M. Sherwin is residing in Kansas and is the mother of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of two children. George Levi, whose birth occurred November 1, 1891. is now taking the animal husbandry course in the Ames Agricultural College. Mary Cynthia, born August 27, 1893, completed one term of study at the Iowa State College for Teachers at Cedar Falls after completing the course offered by the high school at Lament.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Although he began his business career without resources other than his strength, intelligence and determination to succeed, and although he had to go into debt in order to buy his first land, Walter Thompson is now one of the substantial citizens of Byron township and the owner of a fine farm on section 27, and considerable other real estate as well. He was born in Ontario county, Ontario, Canada, May 13, 1850, a son of George and Catherine (Metcalf) Thompson, both natives of Ireland, the former born in Tipperary and the latter in Belfast. The father emigrated to Canada with his parents when a boy of ten years and lived there until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six years of age. He was a farmer by occupation and was highly respected in his community. The mother was but an infant when brought by her parents to New York city, where she was reared and educated. She died in Ontario at the age of eighty years. Both parents were members of the Eposcipal church, to the support of which they contributed. Twelve children were born to them, of whom the subject of this review was the fifth in order of birth.

Walter Thompson was reared at home and aided his father in the operation of the homestead. He was educated in an old log schoolhouse, studying there during the winters until he was twenty-two years of age. He was then married and engaged in farming in Canada until 1876, when he came to this county and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, paying thirty dollars per acre. He also owns two other farms in Washington township, one comprising one hundred acres and the other forty-five acres, both of which he rents. He likewise holds title to ten acres of land in Independence which he leases to others, and has a lot in Tacoma, AVashington. He never allowed himself to become discouraged by temporary hardships or obstacles in his way, as he was convinced that persevering labor and good management would enable him to attain success eventually, and his faith has been justified, as he is now one of the well-to-do farmers of his locality. He understands agriculture thoroughly and is enterprising, planting his crops in good season and giving them the necessary cultivation during the summer months. As a result he harvests annually large crops which he sells at a good price.

In the county of Ontario, Canada, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Flora Jane McDonald, who was born in Ontario on the loth of April, 1852, and was reared and educated in her native country. They have four children: Florence, the wife of Edward Hood, a farmer of Byron township; Lewis Walter, at home; Mable, the wife of George Slemmons, of Libert.y township; and Verna, at home.

Mr. Thompson is a republican in his political belief and has been quite active in local affairs. For nine years he has served on the county board of commissioners and was reelected in the fall of 1914, his term to begin January 1, 1915. For twenty or twenty-five years he has served as township trustee, which office he holds at present, and for several years he has been a member of the school board. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as elder for thirty years. Fraternally he belongs to Winthrop Lodge, No. 546, A. F. & A. M.; the Modern Woodmen of America; Crescent Lodge, K. P., of Independence; and both he and his wife hold membership in the Royal Neighbors. The life record of Mr. Thompson is an example of what a man of initiative, industry and sound judgment may accomplish if he but persists in his endeavor to achieve success. Not only has he won material prosperity, but he is also one of the most respected citizens of his township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.