Thompson, Harry

THOMPSON, CHAPMAN, WALL, JACOBS, RAYL, MACY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 07:45:16

History of Poweshiek Co. Iowa (1911)

HARRY THOMPSON

By means of diligence and application Harry Thompson, who is engaged in stock-raising, has become one of the extensive landowners of Union township. His birth occurred in Jersey county, Illinois, on the 13th of August, 1865, his parents being Charles N. and Martha (Chapman) Thompson, natives of Licking county, Ohio, where they were married. The father, who was born on the 9th of January, 1837, migrated with his wife, in the early years of their married life, to Illinois. He there engaged in farming until 1880, when he again started westward, Iowa being his destinatiion. They first located in Jasper county, where a little later he purchased a small farm, which he cultivated until 1910, when he removed to Union township, Poweshiek county, where he is now residing. He has always been an ardent republican, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She passed away in Jasper county, in September, 1881. Unto them were born the following children: Minnie, the wife of C.S. Wall, of Newton, Iowa; Harry, our subject; Emma, deceased; Leonard, who is a resident of Estherville, Iowa; Charles Nathan, who is living in the state of Washington; Hattie, the wife of George Jacobs, of West Bend, Iowa; and Thomas, who is living in Colfax, Iowa.

Harry Thompson, who was a youth of fifteen years when the family settled in Iowa, acquired his education in the district schools of his native state. He remained a member of the parental household until he was nineteen, assisting his father in operating the farm. He subsequently worked as a farm hand until he had accumulated sufficient money to enable him to begin farming for himself, when he rented land in Jasper county. Perseverance, combined with diligence and the intelligent direction of his affairs, enabled him to make a success of his ventures, and in 1908 he bought his present farm, which contains three hundred and twenty-eight acres of land. Here he engages in breeding and raising shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, both of which, under his capable supervision, are proving to be very lucrative.

In February, 1888, Mr. Thompson and Miss Estella Rayl were united in marriage. Mrs. Thompson is a daughter of Himelus and Sarah Jane (Macy) Rayl, residents of Sugar Creek township. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, the order of their birth being as follows: Don, Howard, Delima, Luvilla, Chalmer, Dwight, Vough and Colyne.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are both ardent members of the Baptist church, of which he is a deacon and clerk, and he is also affiliated with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. In politics he is a republican but never takes an active part in public affairs. He has always worked persistently and unfalteringly, so judiciously administering his affairs that he has became recognized as one of the successful and prosperous stockmen and agriculturists of Union township.