Philip Thompson 1821-1892

THOMPSON, HENDERSON, CRUM, HOOPES, HARVEY, WEBBER, LACEY

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 11/15/2020 at 11:08:06

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa Friday, January 8, 1892 page 5

DEATH OF PHILIP THOMPSON.

One of Our Most Respected citizens and Oldest Settlers Gone - He passes Quietly Away.

We are called upon to chronicle the death of another of our oldest and most respected citizens, which occurred at his residence in this place, Monday morning, January 4, 1892 at 8:30 o'clock. Philip Thompson was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 20, 1821, and was at the time of his death, nearly 71 years of age. When five years old, he removed with his parents to what is now Cass county, Illinois. At that time that part of the state was an unbroken wilderness. school houses were an unknown institution; consequently, Mr. Thompson was brought up without any educational advantages whatever. On September 2, 1841, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca H. Henderson, who still survives to mourn the loss of a husband after more than fifty years companionship. In the fall of 1847 he came to Iowa and purchased what was known as the Shellabarger place in Grandview township. He returned at once and made preparations to bring his wife and three little ones to their new home. They arrived here in mid winder, crossing the Mississippi at Burlington in January and the Iowa at Wapello, February 1, 1848, reaching their place of destination next day. This he made his home until her removed to Columbus Junction in 1876. He resided here up to the time of his death.

Ten children were the result of this union, nine of whom grew to maturity and still live to mourn a father's loss. Of these, all but Mrs. M. F. Crum, of Chapin, Illinois, the eldest of the family, were present at the funeral. The other sorrowing children are the sons, James H. and John t., near Letts; D. O., Chicago and A. S. of this place. The daughters present were Mrs. L. P. Hoopes, near Muscatine; Mrs. I. J. Harvey, Seward Nebraska; Mrs Z. P. Webber, Indianola, Nebraska, and Mrs. Etla E. Lacey, Columbus Junction. Short service were held at the late residence. The funeral discourse was preached by the Rev. W. C. Chew, in the M. E. church at Letts. The text had been selected by Mr. Thompson three years since and will be found in Job 16:22, "When a few years are come, then shall I go the way whence I shall not return."

The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Letts. the pall bearers at the place were Dr. W. A. Colton, G. D. Harrison, ? K. Pickett, G. W. Breneman, Jas. R. Letts and S. C. Curtis. Those at Letts were John Hiff, Issac Mitchell, E. B. Shellabarger, Geo. Gipple, Edwin Williams and H. N. P. Small. Mr. Thompson had more than the mere respect of the entire community in which he had resided for more than forty-five years and we all feel that i his death we have lost one of our very best citizens. A life has gone our worthy the study and imitation of all. During his last illness Mr. Thompson many times expressed himself ready and willing to go; his only regret being to leave his aged wife. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of all our people.