John Foster Thompson

THOMPSON, SPAULDING, CLARK

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/15/2010 at 19:25:43

Thompson, John Foster, banker; lawyer; born near Cary, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1848; son of Mathew and Martha (Spaulding) Thompson; educated in public school, High School, Elkader and McGregor, Iowa, and social literary course and law course in Iowa State University, LL.B., 1874; married, Forest City, Iowa, Dec., 22, 1875, Julia A. Clark, daughter of Hon. Robert Clark, judge of Forest City; seven children, two surviving. Engaged in practice of law since 1872. Organized and has been president for past thirty-eight years of The Winnebago County State Bank; organized nine banks, two land companies, and three farm loan companics. President and general manager of Thompson Brothers, Iowa Farm Loan Co., which has loaned for Eastern investors more than $8,000,000 without loss or foreclosure. Bought and improved 20,000 acres of land, now owning more than 6,000 acres of improved land in adjoining counties. Was appointed by governor, member of National Farmers' Congress. Served as mayor of city, two terms, deputy register of State Land Office, Iowa; president of Board of Education, six years; first lieutenant Military Battalion, Iowa University. Served in Civil War as bugler, Fourth Iowa Battery, enlisting when fourteen years and seven months old, and he was later wounded in battle. Was treasurer of the Iowa Southern Railroad Co., and of the Chicago & Iowa Western Railroad Co., both of which lines were built into Forest City while he was their treasurer; the first in 1879 and the other in 1893. Was inspector general Department of Iowa G.A.R., 1895. Member American Institute of Civics known as an active member of said society as "Gen. John Foster Thompson," and locally as well, since his appointment on staff of Department, commander of the G.A.R., as inspector general and holding a commission as such. Republican; Methodist. Member Iowa State Bar Association, State Bankers Association, U.S. Geographical Association. 32° Mason (Scottish Rite), and a Knight Templar (York Rite).

~Herringshaw's American Blue-book of Biography, Men of Nineteen-Twelve; edited by Thomas William Herringshaw; American Publishers' Association, 1913; pg 591-592