Harriet Haines Thompson (1829-1922)

THOMPSON, HAINES, OVERHOLSER, NELSON

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/20/2005 at 08:21:59

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, July 13, 1922, page 1, column 2. "OBITUARY. - Harriet Haines was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 22, 1829. Her early life was spent in the town of Granville, Ohio, where, in December of the year 1856, she was married to James Thompson. The next year they immigrated to Iowa and settled in Iowa Center, where the husband had entered land the year previous. Here they established one of the early pioneer homes where they lived until her husband died in November, 1890. She then went to live with their only child, Dr. Frank Thompson, at Cambridge, and continued to make that her home until shortly after the death of son in 1920. Since then she spent her time with her granddaughter on the old homestead and with her daughter-in-law, at Iowa Center. She had been in her usual health until early spring, when she began to fail rapidly. She was bedfast for several weeks and passed away Friday, July 7, 1922, at the age of ninety-two years, eleven months and fifteen days. She was a member of the Baptist church, having joined in early life and remained faithful to its teachings until the end. She leaves to revere her memory her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ida Thompson, three grandchildren - Mrs. Forrest E. Overholser, of North Leavenworth, Kansas; Mrs. Gurton N. Nelson, of Maxwell, and James W. Thompson, of Maxwell - five great grandchildren and an innumerable host of friends. The services were held at the home of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ida Thompson, Sunday afternoon, at two o'clock, and were conducted by the Rev. Vine, of the United Brethren church, of Cambridge, assisted by Rev. Skogsberg, of Iowa Center, and Dr. Everds, of Maxwell. Beautiful and appropriate music was furnished by a quartet of ladies, composed of Frances Merz, Helen Warner and Mesdames Ella Johnson and Esther Heggen, of Cambridge. She was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Maxwell cemetery. "She has fallen asleep, fold the robe O'er the meek heart so pulseless and still; She hath gone to her Father and ours, and our grief is His sovereign will. The rest which he gives his beloved Is her, the untroubled and deep - And because we love her we say It is well, she hath fallen asleep." Card of Thanks - We desire, in this public way, to thank our friends for their kindness during the sickness and death of our beloved mother and grandmother. Mrs. Ida Thompson and Family."

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, July 13, 1922, page 1, column 2. "A TRIBUTE. - The passing of Mrs. Harriet Thompson, familiarly known as "Aunt Hattie," marks the close of the physical life of one of our oldest, most estimable and substantial pioneer families. Mr. James Thompson, the husband, departed this life about twenty-six years ago, and their only son, Dr. Frank Thompson, of Cambridge, passed away nearly two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson came to this county in the early fifties, and as was characteristic of the family, selected rather a secluded spot, in the grove west of Iowa Center, where they established their home with its adjoining farm land, known as the Uncle James Thompson farm; however, Mrs. Thompson had named their home the "Retreat," which it typified**, as a sort of quiet peace seemed to permeate it. There they lived and tenderly reared their small family, near to nature. They were wise in the lore of the woods and the birds; they had time to read good things and to think good thoughts and to do good deeds. Their devotion to their children and grandchildren was without stint, and in the early days of hardship no task for friend or neighbor was too great and even the appeal of the stranger did not go unheeded. This spirit of good fellowship and helpfulness was transmitted to their son, Frank. Only one intimately associated with his family could know the rare hospitality of his home; the kindly geniality of his nature, his great interest in everything for the common good, and the sacrifice and charity that marked both his private and professional life. Their influence for good will live on - "He that doeth the will of God abideth forever." To their loved ones may God "give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." **Editorial note - spelling used is from the original newspaper article.