Thompson, J.W.

THOMPSON, LUNDY, MCWILLIAMS, MCELWAIN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/28/2009 at 15:04:43

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

Page 761

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP

THOMPSON, J.W.--Section 2, P.O. Victor. His great-grandfather Thompson was born in 1776, in Ireland, where he was educated and where he followed farming until his eighteenth year, when he sailed for America, and settled in Belmont county, Ohio, where he taught school. Here he married Jane Lundy, who bore him six children, one of whom was John, born June 3, 1802. He was a farmer; married, January 31, 1828, Sarah McWilliams, who was born October 17, 1805, in Fayette, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather Samuel came from Ireland at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania. Her husband died February 13, 1854, and she, a pleasant and kindly old lady, lives with her son John William, the subject of this biography, who was born February 3, 1845, in Belmont county, Ohio, where he was raised and educated. He immigrated to Iowa when twenty-two and settled on an improved farm for three years, when he sold out and moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, remaining there one year, when he again came to this county and commenced improving his present property, to which he moved in the spring of 1871. He married, September 19, 1865, Mary A. McElwain, who was born June 1, 1844, in Belmont county, Ohio, where she was raised and educated. The fruits of this union have been: John Andrew (born November 24 1866), Samuel T. (born September 30, 1868), Maggie S. (born September 13, 1870), James H. (born October 2, 1872), Rachel Lulu (born March 13, 1874) and Mary E. (born June 24, 1876). Mr. Thompson has improved the farm upon which he lives, which comprises 240 acres, in splendid condition and well stocked. Mrs. Thompson is a lady of excellent quality, whose foresight has placed an insurance upon her life of $5,000 for the benefit of her children. Mr. Thompson is at present serving the county as constable, and he is a gentleman of very large acquaintance and influence.