THOMSON, F. J.

THOMSON, BURRIS, MOODY, MERCHANT, BOLKS, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/14/2003 at 18:53:21

Biography reproduced from page 296 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

F. J. Thomson is widely known in connection with the grain elevator business in Kossuth county, having for the past nine years been engaged in the operation of elevators located in various sections of this county. He was born July 12, 1876, and is a son of Solomon and Christy Anne (Burris) Thomson. The paternal grandfather was a native of Canada and at an early day removed with his wife and family to Iowa, where he continued to live until the time of his death. The father is a native of Canada and the mother of Ohio. Her father’s family at an early day settled near Kewanee, Illinois, where she was married. Solomon Thomson established his home in Garrison, Benton county, Iowa, in 1878, and during the active years of his life was there engaged in business. In his family were ten children: Charlotte, the wife of H. C. Moody, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Evelina, who married William Merchant, of Garrison, Iowa; C. W., who makes his home at Cedar Rapids; Jennie, the wife of S. A. Bolks, also of Cedar Rapids; Earle and Newton, both of whom are deceased; F. J., the subject of this review; Harriett of Cedar Rapids; and Carl and Lola, who have passed away.

F. J. Thomson was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools in Garrison. At the age of fourteen he began work as a farm hand during the summer months and in winter he attended school, thus alternating his studies with his work until he was seventeen years of age, after which time he was continuously engaged in farm labor until 1900. He then took up work in the elevator in Garrison, Iowa, and remained in that occupation for three years, after which he settled in Plum Creek, Kossuth county in 1903, and there took charge of elevators, handling grain, coal and live stock. He also was postmaster at that place until the office was removed from Plum Creek.

Mr. Thomas was united in marriage in 1904 to Miss Anna Campbell, who was born in Emmet county, Iowa, and they are the parents of three children, Vera Lucille, Kenneth Theodore and June Adele, all of whom are at home. Mr. Thomson was raised a democrat but later became affiliated with the republican party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Yeoman and the Modern Woodmen of America of Algona. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. He is one of the well known men in his line of business and is highly respected for his integrity in all business transactions and is a man justly entitled to be numbered among the desirable citizens of his part of the state.