Fremont Thompson

THOMPSON, DAVIS, WEAVER, DARRAH

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 5/23/2006 at 08:11:44

Fremont Thompson is one of the most progressive farmers of Courtland township, and represents one of its pioneer families. As the history of a county or state is best told in a record of the lives of its more prominent citizens, a full biography of this family is herewith given.

Almon Thompson, father of Fremont Thompson, was born in Chenango county, N.Y., in 1817, and was reared a carpenter and joiner. In 1836 he came to Michigan and located in what is now Jackson county, the state not being admitted to the Union until January, 1837, Andrew Jackson being then president of the United States. In 1844 he came to Kent county, and after working at his trade for some time, purchased a tract of 160 acres of unimproved land in section No. 36, in Courtland township, where he passed the remainder of his life. Indians in those days were numerous in this township, and with these Mr. Thompson did considerable trading. There were no roads, and the ox-cart, with its body raised four or five feet from the ground, threaded its way through the virgin forest in conveying the family to church. Six or seven yoke of oxen, hauling an enormous plow, were used for breaking the soil, the farming implements were of a primitive pattern, and many a day was passed by Mr. Thompson in swinging the old-fashioned four-fingered cradle, from early morn until after sunset, in cutting the ripened grain. But he was a man of energy and industry, and consequently prospered. His first habitation here was a small frame, in which only one-half of the floor was laid, and it was minus window-sashes and door, ingress and egress being had through unprotected apertures, which later were properly fitted up.

In politics Almon Thompson was a democrat, and took an active part against "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," in the famous "hard cider" campaign of 1840, in which campaign however, the whigs triumphed and seated William Henry Harrison in the presidential chair.

To the marriage of Almon Thompson and Miss Sarah Davis were born two sons and one daughter, viz: Augusta, now the wife of Jacob Weaver, a brick mason and contractor, of Belding, Mich.; Fremont, whose name opens this biographical notice, and Arista A., who resides in Rockford, Mich. Mrs. Sarah (Davis) Thompson was born in Madison county, N.Y., in 1822, was liberally educated and taught the first school opened in Oakfield township. She was called away November 19, 1891, and was followed to the grave by her husband, who died in Belding June 5, 1893. The remains of both now rest side by side in White Swan cemetery, where a beautiful monument, sacred to their memory, has been reared by their children. Mr. Thompson was greatly respected throughout life, was always moral and devoutly religious, his life having been one that youth may safely pattern after.

Fremont Thompson, the subject proper of this memoir, was born in Kent county, Mich., October 6, 1850, and remained under the parental roof until after reaching his majority. He was first united in marriage to Miss Addie Davis, and to this union was born one child, Edna, who was educated in the public schools and is now an inmate of her father's home. Mrs. Addie Thompson passed away in 1881, and for his second helpmate Mr. Thompson selected Miss Emma Thompson, a native of Delaware county, Iowa, and this union has been blessed with two sons and three daughters, viz: Ray B., Roma, Hazel, Hattie and Maurice F.

Mrs. Emma Thompson was born April 25, 1856, and is a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Darrah) Thompson, who were the parents of eight children -- all daughters. Albert Thompson, a native of Chenango county, N.Y., settled in Iowa in 1846, and there his death occurred June 25, 1891, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a firm friend of all public educational projects, and was himself a school-teacher for many years. His widow was born in Sussex county, N.J., in 1828, is now seventy years old, and is still enjoying fairly good health. Of the eight daughters born to these parents all became teachers -- an unusual occurrence -- and but one of the eight has passed into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Mrs. Emma Thompson graduated from the high school at Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa, and was for several years one of the most successful teachers in her native county.

Fremont Thompson is a solid democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley in 1872. He has been elected by his party, with whom his is very popular, to the office of township treasurer, and in 1896 was elected justice of the peace, having filled his first office to the full satisfaction of the public and now performing the functions of the second with equally happy results.

When Mr. Thompson began the activities of life on his own account he was the possessor of but 120 acres of land, but now owns 230 acres, all in Courtland township, and this fact is a commendable evidence of his good management, energy and progressiveness. In 1893 he erected a fine two-story dwelling, 62X26 feet, at a cost of about $3,500. This elegant home is finished in hard wood on both floors -- the better rooms with red oak -- and the entire building is heated by a furnace located in the basement. The family is held in the highest esteem by their neighbors, and their home is the abode of good will, cheerfulness and, unlimited hospitality.

-source: The City of Grand Rapids and Kent County, Mich., Logansport, Ind.: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1900; page 860-865

[transcriber is not related to this family & has no further information]