John W Thompson

THOMPSON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 13:07:39

John W Thompson is a business veteran of Ogden, Iowa, where he was for many years connected with the publishing business as editor and owner of the Boone County Messenger. Since 1911 he has lived retired in the enjoyment of a well earned competency. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 9, 1833, and is a son of James and Jane (Park) Thompson, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Pennsylvania. James Thompson followed agrigultural pursuits and also was active in mercantile life. At an early day in the history of Iowa he came to Green county, where he bought land, but he passed away shortly after his arrival there. The mother died in Cedar Rapids, whence the family subsequently came to Boone county.
John W Thompson was reared and educated in Pennsylvaina, finishing his course at a private school in that state. In 1852 he went with the family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the trip beig made by boat from Pittsburgh to Muscatine. Then they drove to Cedar Raiods, where the father made entry for land and our subjet well remebers when he plowed corn on the tract where West Cedar Rapids now stands. Mr Thomspon of this review farmed there for about two years but in 1866 came to Bone county, Iowa , where he purchased land to the extent of 89 acres. This tract he improved and operated until 1881, acting during the winter months as principal of the schools of Moingona for some time. As a school teacher as well as a farmer he was successful and earned the respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors. Upon coming to Ogden Mr Thompson engaged in the newspaper business, organizing the Boone County Mesenger. This paper he conducted for about twenty years. Its editorial policy was always clean cut, while particular attention was given to the setting fourth of local happenings. Mr Thompson not only proved himself as able editor but he was a successful business manager. His circulation list increased year by years, and his advertising partonage gained in volume and quality. When he retied from the newspaper business in 1911 he had built up a valuable organ in the country press of the state. Mr Thompson has now passed his eightieth years, yet he is very active and interested in the growth and development of his city, and section, to which he contributed so much in his newpaper career.
On September 12, 1854, Joh W Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rogers, a daughter of Henry and Frances (Bixby) Rogers, natives of Pennsylvania, who went to Linn county, Iowa during pioneer days. There the father engaged in farming, operationg land in that section for the remainder of his life. Mr and Mrs Thompson became the parents of seven children: Mattie E, who married S J Elliott, and they reside in Beaver, Boone county, Clara, who is teaching school in St Paul, Minnesota, and for fourteen yeras was principal of the Ogden schools, May the wife of Edward Freeman, a passenger conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, Anna who married Dr Bradshaw, a dentist of Ogden, Etta the wife of C F Weaver, a newspaper man of Ames, by whom she has nine chldren, Wiley J who passed away in 1865 at the age of two years, and one who died in infancy. Mrs Thompson's death occurred in 1872 and on January 20, 1906 Mr Thompson married Mrs Euretta S Brooks, daugther of Joel and Betsy (Hill) Clark and the widow of Harvey Brooks. The later was a veteran of the Civil war and a pioneer of Boone county, where he passed away July 27, 1902.
Mr Thompson has always given his support to the democratic party and stanchly believes in the principles and platform of that orgaization. He has ever interested himself in public affairs and for a number of years served as township clerk. His religion is that of the Methodist church. Much credit is due Mr Thompson not only for his accoplishment on his own behalf, but for the service which he rendered his community in his semi-public position as editor and owner of the Boone County Messenger. He has ever given his influences toward promoting improvements and has taken his part in bringing to Ogden and Boone county tth conveniences and comforts of modern civilization.

1914 Boone County History Book