Ralph S. Thompson

As printed in 1902

RALPH S. THOMPSON.

Ralph S. Thompson is the president and manager of the New Era Company, general printers, blank book manufacturers and “book binders, as well as publishers of the New Era. In the control of this enterprise, which has become an extensive one in Springfield, Mr. Thompson displays marked executive ability and business force, and has gained that success which indicates the character of the man—success which comes through diligence, unremitting labor and capable business management.

Mr. Thompson is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Edwards county, on the 19th of December, 1847. His parents were Samuel and Katherine (Ronalds) Thompson. The father was a native of England and spent his boyhood days in London, where his birth occurred, and where he acquired his education. At length he came to the United States, traveled to some extent over the country and finally took up his above in Edwards county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and there studied medicine, becoming prominent in his profession, though continuing to work his farm. He died in 1872, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1850.

Ralph S. Thompson worked in his youth on the farm. Owing to some peculiar ideas of his father he was not allowed to attend school, but got what education he could at home, which was added to by a free use of his father’s extensive library. His favorite studies were chemistry and mechanics. He had a workshop in his father's barn and a chemical laboratory in his father’s library until the frequent explosions caused the banishment of the laboratory to a separate building. Hie entered upon his business career in his native county in the year 1865, as a druggist and chemist, and conducted it with considerable success until 1872, when he sold out. In the meantime, in 1869, he had become a member of a printing company of Edwards county, owning and editing: the Albion Pioneer. In 1873 he sold his interest in the paper and moved to Cincinnati, where he engaged in printing and editorial work, and through the failure of others lost all he had accumulated. In 1876 he arrived in Springfield, accepting a position as manager of the Grange Visitor, which was afterwards changed to the Farmers’. Advance, which he controlled until 1886. At this time Mr. Thompson joined others in the organization of the New Era Company, which was incorporated January 21, 1886, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, and at the first election Mr. Thompson was made president and manager, in which capacity he has since been retained, his associate officers being Rei Rathbun, secretary, and S. P. Behrends, treasurer. The company does a general job printing and book business, and at the same time publishes the New Era. Theirs is one of the best equipped modern printing offices in this portion of the state. The plant is supplied with the latest improved machinery for turning out a high grade of work, and the office has acquired a very favorable reputation not only for neat, but also for artistic

MALES BIO GRABEICAD- RECORD: work, From fifty to one hundred men and girls are employed in the establishment. Recently the printing establishment has been removed to the large stone front building 24 and 26 North Fountain avenue. Mr. Thompson is also associated with other business affairs here, being at the head of the Springfield Furnace Company, of. 28 and 30 North Fountain avenue, manufacturing the Thompson Tubular Hot Air Furnace, of which he is the inventor, and also of a burner for the use of oil as fuel- There is a promising future before this furnace, which is rapidly finding favor with the public and already meeting with a good sale, and the oil burner has attracted attention not only in this country ‘but Europe. Mr. Thompson is also assistant secretary of the Springfield Board of Trade.

In 1872 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss Margaret Weed, of Albion, Hlinois, a daughter of Hampton Weed, who was a relative of Wade Hampton, the Revolutionary patriot. In political thought and action Mr. Thompson has always been independent, adhering to his convictions without fear or favor. In business he has achieved success through honorable effort, untiring industry and capable management, and in private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character, deference for the opinions of others, kindliness and geniality.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.