Matthew Thompson, retired
farmer, and one of the early settlers of Clayton County,
Ia., was born in Scotland, Jan. 6, 1805, and was a son of
Alexander and Ann (Anderson) Thompson. The subject of
this memoir when a boy, learned the trade of a dyer, and,
not liking the calling, he afterward turned his attention
to suburban gardening. In 1823 he married Jean Martin,
who was born in Scotland, Aug. 1, 1803. Mr. and Mrs.
Thompson are the parents of six children, all grown to
maturity. In 1842 he left Scotland for America, landing
in New York, and from there went to New Jersey, where he
was employed in landscape gardening until 1848, when he
removed to Clayton County, Ia. This being before the time
of railroads, he came through with teams, and located in
Monona Township on sections 23 and 26. He owns 240 acres
of beautiful land, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Thompson
came to the county poor, but by his own exertions and
industry has acquired an ample fortune, and is one of the
prominent and well-to-do farmers of the county. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1064 |