THOMPSON, Charles M. - 1890 Bio (1833-1897)

THOMPSON, HART, MCGUIRE, CLARK, MEALEY

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 5/12/2004 at 15:55:33

“Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa.” Pub. 1890, Chicago
Pages 371-373

CHARLES M. THOMPSON is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Liberty Township, Jefferson County, residing on Section 26. His practical, yet progressive ideas, his energy and enterprise, make his business a successful one and place him in the front rank among the leading farmers of the community. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 9, 1833, and is a son of Jeremiah and Abigail (HART) THOMPSON. His father was born in Chatham County, N.C., in the year 1800, and when a lad of thirteen summers accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he pursued his vocation of farming, from which he allowed himself to be diverted at times in the interest of his party, the Democratic, that he might attend to the duties of office several times conferred upon him by his fellow citizens. At length he determined to seek a home further west and on the 24th of March, 1850, landed in Jefferson County, Iowa. He purchased the place known as the Cameron farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of cleared land and eighty acres of timber land. Here he led a peaceful life, taking a deep, yet unobtrusive interest in all the public affairs of the community. It was largely through his efforts that the Birmingham Lodge of Odd Fellows was organized. Death closed his earthly pilgrimage, which had been a happy and useful one, July 5, 1875. His wife still survives him. Their marriage was celebrated in Ohio, and their union was blessed with the following children, eleven of whom are still living: William H., now of California; Charles M. of this sketch; Jackson; Elizabeth; James Riley; Nancy; Mary E. who died in 1880, leaving a family of five children; Lewis Harvey; Joseph; Louisa; Martha Jane and George Newton.

Charles M. THOMPSON accompanied his parents to Iowa when a young man of seventeen years and has made his home in Jefferson County continuously since. After receiving the advantages of education afforded by the public schools, our subject, following the path marked out for him by his father, devoted himself to the cultivation of the soil in which he has been remarkably successful. He choose (sic) for a companion on life’s journey Miss Sarah Jane McGUIRE, their union being celebrated on 19th of March, 1854. Eleven children came to make glad the home of the worthy couple, namely: James Benton; Silas Madison; Erastus Emery, who died in 1869; Ellen; Minnie; Avery R.; Omer; Cora who died in 1869; Walter; Simon and Clark. Ellen is the wife of Samuel G. CLARK and resides in Kansas; Minnie is the wife of James McGUIRE, a prosperous farmer of Kansas; Silas is now engaged in teaching school in Fairfield, Clay County, Kan., having completed the course of study of Oskaloosa College; Avery is a master carpenter at Denver, Col.; and Omer is superintendent of a large farm in California. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1880, and her death was the occasion of sincere regret on the part of a large circle of friends. She was an exemplary member of the Christian Church.

The years 1855 and 1856, Mr. THOMPSON leased and farmed the Rutledge homestead, the widowed owner of which was the mother of Annie Rutledge, the first love of Abraham Lincoln. The union of the young couple was thwarted by the death of the lady, an event which at the time nearly dethroned the reason of the young lawyer who was destined to afterwards fill such an illustrious place in the history of our nation.

On the 15th December, 1886, Mr. THOMPSON was again married, his second union being with Miss Clara MEALEY, daughter of James and Anna MEALEY, who were early settlers of Keokuk County but are now deceased. The lady is also a niece of the well known practitioner, Dr. MEALEY, of Pleasant Plain. Mr. THOMPSON is a zealous and faithful member of the Christian Church and his wife is a follower of the Presbyterian faith. His business career has been one of marked prosperity and is an example of what may be accomplished by energy, industry and sagacity. He has become the owner of a farm of four hundred and forty acres where may be seen all the modern improvements, a comfortable home tastefully furnished, good barns and some of the finest stock to be found in Iowa; two imported Percheron Norman horses, especially demanding mention, as well as some thirty head of thoroughbred and high grade cattle now in his possession. In the past, Mr THOMPSON has taken an exceptionally keen in terest in the growth and success of the county fair. He was largely instrumental in the organization, was for twelve years a member of the Board of Directors and his exhibits at the same have often secured for him the highest premiums. He is a Prohibitionist politically and although he is well informed on all political issues, as every American citizen should be, he has never desired the honors or emoluments of public office. However, he has served several terms as school director, a position that has afforded him an opportunity to aid in the improvement and enlargement of educational facilities. When called from this life, few men can leave a better or more honorable record behind him than the subject of this sketch--a man esteemed throughout the community for his uprightness and sterling worth. Upon the question of secret societies Mr. THOMPSON is an out and out opponent of all orders, believing and advocating the idea that they are detrimental to Christianity and the best interests of society in general.