Oscar T. Thompson (1884-1921)

THOMPSON, GAARD

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, September 8, 1921.

DEATH SUMMONS OSCAR T. THOMPSON

Prominent Roland Druggist Died Wednesday Evening

O. T. Thompson, one of Roland's prominent young business men, died Wednesday evening at six o'clock after a lingering illness of several months.

Mr. Thompson was 37 years of age and has been one of Roland's leading business men for the past fifteen years, being connected with the Etna Drug Co.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 from Salem Church.

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, September 15, 1921.

YOUNG BUSINESS MAN LAID TO REST

Oscar T. Thompson Buried On Last Saturday Afternoon

Oscar T. Thompson, one of Roland's prominent young business men, who died Wednesday evening of last week, was laid to rest Saturday afternoon from Salems Lutheran church. Rev. Sandven took for his text Job 19:25-27, "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon this earth. And though, after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed withing me,: this being the same text that Rev. Sandven used at the time he buried the deceased father, Torres Thompson, eight years ago. A large concourse of relatives and friends were present at the services to pay their last tribute to a neighbor and a friend.

Oscar T. Thompson was born on the old Thompson homestead, southeast of Roland, on September 15, 1884, being 37 years, 11 months and 27 days of age at the time of his death. When a lad he moved with his folks to Roland, where he attended the public schools graduating with the class of 1900. Soon after finishing school he entered Highland Park college for the study of Pharmacy. In 1905 he, together with his brothers, purchased the T. P. Herman Drug Store, incorporated same and changed the name to the Etna Drug Co., the name it now bears.

In 1907 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Gaard, who with the two children, Argyll and Maxine, survive him.

In his youth and up until about three years ago Mr. Thompson was in good health and a man of great physical strength. During the influenza epidemic here in 1918 he was among the first ones stricken, but remained at the store to assist with the medical aid, until he was completely exhausted. His siege with the "flu" weakened his strong constitution and since that time he has not been in the best of health. Last fall he was in bed for several weeks with an attack of pleurisy and on his recovery again resumed his duties at the store. The first week in February this year he was again stricken, and all the care and love that skillful physicians and an anxious household could devise and apply for his comfort and assistance was brought to his bedside, but to no avail, and he passed away on Wednesday evening, Sept. 7.

Oscar was a man loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a real factor in dooing good for our city, always taking a prominent part in all activities that were for the best interest of the community. As a lifelong member of Salems church he was an ardent church worker and served on the building committee at the time the new church was built. He was for a number of years a member of the school board and for the past eight years has been a member of the City Council. His daily life, ever since early youth, and his work as a public servant will stand as a living monument to his Christian character.

He leaves to mourn his death a wife and two children, Argyll and Maxine, a mother, Mrs. Torres Thompson and four brothers, J. E., Tollef, E. K. and O. M. Thompson.

Interment took place in the Roland cemetery.