FRANCIS M. THOMPSON

THOMPSON

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 16:37:38

FRANCIS M. THOMPSON, a leading pioneer of Washington township, Adams county, Iowa, was born in Warrick county, Indiana, April 16, 1838. His parents were John and Sarah (Igelhart) Thompson, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother, of Maryland. In 1820 John Thompson settled on a farm in Warrick county, Indiana, being among the pioneers of that place. At one time he was a major in militia company. He moved to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1844, where he continued farming which he had followed all his life. He died in Adams county, Iowa, August 14, 1857, at the age of sixty years. The mother went with her parents from Maryland to Kentucky, where, in 1820, she was united in marriage with Mr. Thompson. Of their thirteen children five are still living.

During the Rebellion when our country was in need of soldiers to protect her flag, Mr. Thompson was not slow in answering to the call. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in Company D, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served with bravery until he was honorably discharged at New Orleans, August 10, 1865. During all that time he was never wounded or taken prisoner, but made many narrow escapes.

The war closing, he returned North, was paid off at Davenport, Iowa, and soon afterward engaged in farming at his present location, section 12, Washington township. He had come from Indiana to Iowa with his parents in 1844, and from Wapello county to Adams county in 1857. At that time there was only one store in Quincy, its supply of goods being brought from St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Thompson now owns 300 acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation, his principal crops being wheat, oats, corn and grass. His dwelling, fronting the section road, is nicely located on an elevation which commands an imposing view of a most beautiful and fertile country. In short, he is well fixed.

Mr. Thompson was married in 1865 to Miss Martha A. Schooling, daughter of R. H. Schooling, an old and most highly respected settler of Adams county. Twelve children have been born to them, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are Rhoda S., who married Harrison Powell, a farmer of Adams county, and has two children living, Milla M. and Emory L.; Lowrey J., who is engaged in farming on his own account on a claim in Custer county, Nebraska; Charles M., farming for himself on the home place; and Louis M., Almira A., Louisa W., Chester A. and Jessie Pearl. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Baptist Church. Politically he is independent, casting his vote for the man rather than the party. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is a good example of the worthy, progressive and hospitable farmer.

In connection with the family history of Mr. Thompson it should be further stated that he had two brothers, John L. and James A., who served in the army, the former in the same company and at the same time with him. John L. was wounded in a running fight, but is still living, aged fifty-five years. James A., a member of the same company, was mustered out after serving some time; was discharged at the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa; died in 1868, at the age of twenty-seven years, from the effects of army exposure.