John S. Thompson

THOMPSON, SUTTON, JEWELL, ROCKWELL

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 12/30/2009 at 14:14:13

J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910

JOHN S. THOMPSON.

John S. Thompson, a retired agriculturist of Farmers Creek township, was for many years actively identified with the farming interests of Jackson county and as the result of his capable management and untiring industry won the competence that now enables him to spend his remaining days in well earned ease. His birth occurred in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of March, 1830. In 1854, when a young man of twenty-four years, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, coming here by boat. While enroute, the father, William Thompson, fell a victim to cholera and died at Keokuk, his remains being interred in a cemetery there. The widowed mother and her five children then continued their journey, arriving at Bellevue, Jackson county, in the month of April. The youngest of the children was a little maiden of but six years and the care of the family largely devolved upon John S. Thompson, who was the eldest son. The youngest son died while serving as a soldier in the Union army, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. It had been the intention of William Thompson to purchase a farm in this county and after arriving here our subject carried out his father's plans, coming into possession of a tract of four hundred acres in Farmers Creek township. He was identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and in the conduct of his farming interests won a gratifying and well merited measure of success. Following his mother's death he sold a portion of the farm, and at the present time is living retired, having gained a competence that enables him to enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life without recourse to further labor.
On the 3rdth of June, 1859, Mr. Thompson was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha A. Sutton, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of March, 1837, her parents being James and Martha Sutton, who made the overland journey to Iowa in 1851. They purchased a farm in Farmers Creek township, Jackson county ,and lived thereon throughout the remainder of their days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born four children, namely: Isaac W., whose birth occurred September 12, 1860; Mrs. Mattie J. Jewell, whose natal day was November 19, 1866; Mrs. Lillian Rockwell, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the igth of September, 1876; and James Tilden, who was also born September 19, 1876. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 29th of January, 1908, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
In his political views Mr. Thompson has always been a stalwart democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. While still living in the Keystone state he was the democratic nominee for the position of assessor and notwithstanding the fact that the township usually gave a large republican majority, he was elected to the office by a majority of nine. This was an honor which he highly appreciated as an evidence of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. Since coming to Jackson county he has acted as school director for several terms and has also held the positions of school collector, township assessor and township collector. In 1864 he was elected supervisor of Farmers Creek township and of the eighteen members who comprised the board at that time he is the only survivor. In 1890 he was appointed to again serve in the fourth district in order to fill a vacancy. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian. Having lived in this locality for fifty-six years, Mr. Thompson has won for himself an extensive circle of friends, and that he is most liked where best known is indicative of the fact that his salient characteristics are such as to gain him a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen. He has now almost reached the eightieth milestone on this earthly pilgrimage and can look back over an active, useful and honorable life.