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         PHILIP THOMSON, senior partner of the firm of Philip Thomson & Co., dealers in shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, tinware and farm machinery, at Columbus Junction, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 20, 1821, and is a son of Oswald and Catherine Thomson. His father was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America prior to the War of the Revolution, in which he took an active part. He was married in this country, and settled in Ross County, Ohio, where he was one of its early pioneers. His wife came to America when a young lady, and it is said that when she made the acquaintance of her future husband she could not speak English, nor did he know the German language, consequently their courtship must have been carried on under difficulties. In 1827, when Philip was but six years of age, they emigrated from Ohio to what was then Morgan County, Ill., the section in which they settled, however, afterward being incorporated into Cass County. While a resident of Ohio Mr. Thomson had accumulated considerable property, but through some misfortune lost nearly everything, and when he landed in Illinois had but a half dollar in money. Provisions were dear, and had to be brought from a long distance; the country was so sparsely settled that there was but one neighbor in a radius of five miles. With his fifty cents he went to the nearest mill, which was about twenty miles away, to buy flour, leaving his family camped in their wagon, and the elder sons at work cutting and preparing logs with which to build a house. Being a practiced miller Mr. Thomson obtained work at the mill, having to work at nights in order to accommodate the rush of customers, many of whom had come from long distances. The miller very kindly advanced him supplies for the immediate wants of the family, and allowed him time to build a shanty, and though everything was done in the usual backwoods style a comfortable home was secured.

Under such circumstances were the childhood and youth of our subject passed, without advantages of either schools or books. He was reared to habits of industry and frugality, and chose farming for his occupation. On the 2d of September, 1841, he was united in marriage, in Cass County, Ill., with Miss Rebecca Henderson, who was born Oct. 18, 1825, and is a daughter of David and Abigail Henderson, the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Ohio. In August, 1847, Mr. Thomson came to Louisa County, Iowa, purchasing what was known as the old Shellabarger place of 240 acres, situated in the township of Grand View, on which there was a small log cabin, and fifty acres of the land was broken. He returned to Illinois, moved his family to their new home the following winter, crossing the Iowa River at Wapello on the 1st of February, 1848, and reaching the farm the following day. Mr. Thomson worked hard, assisted by his wife and children, and rapidly improved his place and increased his worldly possessions. A substantial frame house took the place of the old log cabin, and the acreage was increased to 660, 600 of which were eventually under cultivation. During the early days the nearest mill was at Mt. Pleasant, which was forty miles distant, but all the trials . . .

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. . . and privations of those pioneer days were cheerfully endured, and the labor soon brought its reward.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomson were blessed with a large family, numbering eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom four sons and all the daughters reached maturity: Frances, the eldest, is the wife of John Crum, a resident of Augusta, Butler Co., Kan.; James H., who married Amanda Colbert, is engaged in farming in Concord Township; Josephine wedded William Hook, and resides in Muscatine, Iowa; John T. wedded Mary Estell, and is a resident farmer of Grand View Township; Jane is the wife of John Harvey, a resident of Seward, Neb.; David Oswold married Ida Shellabarger, and makes his home in Chicago; Zelie is the wife of Joseph Webber, a banker of Keokuk, Iowa; Etta E. is the wife of E. R. Lacey, assistant cashier of the Louisa County National Bank, of Columbus Junction; Scott was married to Ida Lamberson, and is in company with his father in the hardware business, at Columbus Junction; Albert M. and a son unnamed died in infancy.

On the 15th of May, 1876, Mr. Thomson removed to Columbus Junction, and engaged in buying and shipping stock, but began the business at a dull season, and in three years lost over $10,000. On the 15th of July, 1879, he assisted his son, D. O., to start in the hardware and farm machinery business at Columbus Junction, and in September, 1884, bought him out, the business having since been conducted by himself and his son Scott, under the firm name of Philip Thomson & Co. They carry an average stock of $4,000 in value, and do an extensive business in farm machinery, their specialty being the Minneapolis Harvesters and Binders, of which they have sold over 400 in this county. They also sell the Champion and Excelsior Mowers, and carry a full line of machinery supplies, of which their stock will average $1,000 in value. Theirs is the only establishment in the city that keeps a full line of repairs in stock.

Mr. Thomson has been a lifelong Democrat, and has never wavered in his devotion to the principles of the party. He and his wife were reared under the auspices of the United Brethren Church, and maintained membership in that society while living where they had a church, but now they attend the Presbyterian Church. For a period including over forty years Mr. Thomson has been a resident of Louisa County, where he is widely and favorable known as a good citizen and an honorable and upright gentleman. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed in their community as being among its most worthy citizens.