L. T. Thompson

THOMPSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 12/30/2008 at 21:49:53

L. T. Thompson is now living retired after years of active and well directed business effort—effort that not only brought to him substantial success but also contributed to public prosperity. He was born in Norway, April 23, 1859, a son of Thorston and Thora Thompson, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father came to America in 1866, bringing with him his wife and children, at which time the family home was established in Madison, Wisconsin, where they lived for three years. In 1869 a removal was made to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and the following year they came to Winnebago county, settling on a farm near Benson Grove, where the father purchased a tract of land which he carefully tilled and cultivated, he and his wife both spending their remaining days upon that place. They had a family of three sons: L. T.; Hans, living on the old homestead; and Ole, a farmer of Mount Valley township.

L. T. Thompson was reared and educated in Winnebago county and supplemented his common school training by college work He afterward took up the profession of teaching and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office and for twelve years he filled the office of county surveyor, his long retention in the position indicating the capability with which he discharged his duties. Mr. Thompson also gave his attention to farming and stock raising for several years and in all that he has undertaken he has won success. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail, and when he starts out to attain a given end he is never content until he accomplishes his purpose. He became one of the organizers of the Farmers Savings Bank of Leland and still remains its vice president. He has been one of the organizers of nearly all of the cooperative business interests of the county, including the Cooperative Elevator and the Mutual Insurance Company, serving at one time as president of the latter. It was Mr. Thompson who shipped the first two car loads of tile to the county. He recognized what would be the value of adequate and scientific drainage and he supervised the digging of several miles of drainage ditches.

Mr. Thompson is not affiliated with any political party but stands for progress and improvement in public affairs and has been called upon to serve in the township offices. He belongs to the Lutheran church and has guided his life according to its teachings. He is truly a self-made man and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He is reaping the benefit of his earnest toil and with a handsome competence acquired through persistent, earnest labor he is now living retired in the enjoyment of the comforts of life.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, pages 546 & 547.