T. I. Thompson

THOMPSON, GOODMANSON, BAGGESON

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/3/2010 at 06:22:27

T. I. THOMPSON

T. I. Thompson, who is residing upon his finely improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 35, Linden township, Winnebago county, is one of the foremost men of his township and at one time held title to from twelve to thirteen hundred acres of land, but has now disposed of his holdings save for his home place. He was born in Norway, December 22, 1855, a son of Knute and Sena (Goodmanson) Thompson, the latter of whom died when he was but two weeks old. The father came to the United States about 1882, and from that time until his death in 1902 made his home with his son, T. I.

The last named received his early education in his native country, but in 1872, when in his seventeenth year, came to the United States on a sailing vessel which required eight weeks to make the voyage. He landed at Quebec, Canada, in July of that year, and at once made his way to the United States, locating in Lee county, Illinois. He secured work on a farm and was given the privilege of attending school during the winter months. After spending about five years as a farm hand in Lee county he went to Chicago, where he found employment on the government piers as a carpenter. For six years he made his home in that city and then was for three years a resident of Story county, Iowa, farming rented land during that time. In 1885 he removed to Winnebago county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm on section 35, Linden township. He was from the start very successful as an agriculturist and as he prospered he invested in additional land until he became the owner of between twelve and thirteen hundred acres. In 1905, however, since he did not wish to be burdened with the oversight of the operation of so much land, he disposed of his holdings save the three hundred and twenty acre farm in Linden township on which he resides. This place is one of the model farms of the township and the equipment includes all implements that have been devised to increase the efficiency of farm work. He also owns stock in the Crystal Lake Savings Bank.

In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss Rebecca Baggeson, a native of Norway, and they have become the parents of six children as follows: Harry I., and Walter J., both of whom are farming in Forest township, Winnebago county; Arthur J., who is a fanner and cattle man residing in Alberta, Canada; Frank I., and Mabel and Lilly, at home.

Mr. Thompson supports the republican party and has for many years served as a member of the school board but has not held any other office. His wife and children belong to the Methodist Episcopal church in the work of which they take an active part. The signal measure of success which he has gained as a farmer has been due in large measure to his progressive spirit, and this has also characterized him in his relation to his community, as he has at all times stood firmly for measures calculated to promote the common good.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. p. 287-288.