Albert A. Thompson

As printed in 1907

ALBERT A. THOMPSON.

The name of Thompson is closely interwoven with the history of Guthrie county and its representatives have always been men of progress, honor and worth. It is not the fact that he belongs to a leading family, however, that entitles Albert A. Thompson to mention in this volume, for his personal characteristics are such as have gained him the high regard and admiration of his fellowmen. He has made excellent success in his business life in Casey, his native, city, where he is now engaged in dealing in hardware, harness and farm implements. He was born on the i6th of June, 1865, and is one of the eight children of Samuel P. and Lydia B. (Arledge) Thompson. The par- ents were natives of Chatham county. North

Carolina, the former born in 1825 and the latter in 1831. They were there reared and soon after their marriage they removed to Indiana, settling on a farm near Indianapolis, where they resided for two years. They then came to Iowa, being among the first of the pioneers of this state. They remained for about a year in what is now Redfield, Dallas county, and in 1856 established their home in Guthrie county, where Mr. Thompson secured two tracts of land, one of eighty acres and the other of sixty. The tracts adjoined, however, and one deed was signed by President Buchanan and the other by President Pierce. Both papers are still in possession of Mrs. Thompson, who yet resides on the old homestead which adjoins Casey on the east. When this property came into possession of Mr. Thompson it was just as it was when it left the hand of nature. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he set to work to break the sod and cultivate the fields. He was quite successful in his farming interests and at one time had extensive landed possessions. His political views were in accordance with the principles of democracy and though he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day he never sought office. He was twice married, his first union being with Polly Davis. After losing his first wife he married Lydia B. Arledge. When Guthrie county was. organized Thompson township was named in his honor, he being one of the first settlers and one of the well known and honored citizens of the county. Into the second marriage there were born eight children, of whom seven are living: Jessie C, a resident of Casey; George W., who is manager for the Farmers Lumber Company at Casey; James B., who is employed by his brother Albert; Henry M., a farmer of Grant City, Missouri; Samuel P.. who is living at Temple. Oklahoma, where he foHows farming: Isaac S.. a resident farmer of Thompson township; and Albert A. The death of the father occurred in 1896 and the county thereby lost one of its most valued, representative and prominent citizens, who from pioneer times had been identified with the history of this section of the state and had borne his full share in the work of public progress and improvement.

Albert A. Thompson was reared on the home farm adjoining Casey and began his education in the public schools of the town, passing through successive grades until he completed the high school course. He afterward attended the agricultural college at Ames, Iowa, and the Iowa College at Grinnell, and when nineteen years of age he started out upon business life as a teacher. For several years he was thus identified with educational work, teaching in Guthrie and Adair counties during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he engaged in farming. In 1891 he turned his attention to the harness business in partnership with his brother, I. S. Thompson, of Casey, and two years afterward went to Mount Vernon. South Dakota, where he conducted a harness business for a year. Later, however, he opened a general mercantile store in connection with his harness store and carried on a department store until 1897, when he disposed of his business there and returned to Casey. During the succeeding five years he was engaged in farming and in September, 1902, he established his present business, in wliich he is very successful, dealing now in hardware, harness and farm implements. He is recognized as one of the leading business men of the city and in connection with his mercantile interests he superintend the operation of his mother's farm.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Thompson was married in 1888 to Miss Mary M. Hughes, of Casey, and unto this tion there have been born four children: Lawrence, Price, Lydia and Eleanor, all of whom are attending the Casey high school. Mr. Thompson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and has been elected to several local offices, serving as town clerk and as a member of the town council. He affiliates with Purity lodge, No. 183, A. F. &

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.