ALBERT A. THOMPTO

Albert A. Thompto is one of the most prominent and prosperous business men of Worth county and his enterprise has constituted an important element in promoting general progress and improvement as well as individual success. He has been a leading factor in farming and stock raising and is one of the most extensive stock shippers of northern Iowa. He has also been identified with the grain trade and whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail and when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he carves out another path which leads him to the desired goal.

He was born in Black Earth township, Dane county, Wisconsin, and is a son of Hans and Ronda (Savre) Thompto. The father was born in Norway, as was his first wife. They were married in that country and later came to the United States, settling in Green county, Wisconsin, where Mrs. Thompto died. Some time later Mr. Thompto married Miss Ronda Savre and purchased a farm in Dane county which he continued to cultivate and improve for twelve years. He then sold that property and removed to Worth county, Iowa, establishing his home in Grove township, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and fifty acres. This he improved and operated until he retired from active business and took up his abode in Northwood, where he passed away in 1906 at the venerable age of eighty-six years. His wife died ten years later, also at the age of eighty-six. They were consistent and devoted members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and Mr. Thompto gave his political allegiance to the republican party.

Albert A. Thompto spent his boyhood days in Wisconsin, where he pursued his education to the age of fifteen years and then came with his parents to Worth county, where he was employed on his father's farm. He afterward purchased a farm and continued its cultivation until 1908, when he took up his abode in the town of Northwood and in connection with Mr. Haugen he bought two hundred and ten acres of land near Glenville, Minnesota. He afterward dealt extensively in land at Glenville, Minnesota, and at Northwood, Iowa, and he became a leading stockman, doing a large business in buying and shipping hogs at those points. He afterward entered into partnership with Mell Heiny, of Northwood, and in 1913 he bought the Northwood elevator of P. G. Gindinger and that of Gordonsville,. Minnesota, from Ecker & Williams. He further extended the scope of his activities to include the coal trade and he broadened his interests as a grain merchant in 1915 by purchasing the two elevators at Kensett, Iowa, also from the firm of Eckert & Williams and from Ole Randall. His next venture was into the lumber trade by the establishment of a lumberyard in Northwood, which he conducted in connection with the operation of the elevator. He and his partner have recently purchased ten acres adjoining their property and Mr. Thompto's holdings now comprise altogether eleven hundred and fifty-six acres, of land. His business interests are carried on under the firm style of Thompto & Heiny, a firm which occupies a position of leadership among the progressive, alert and resourceful business men of northern Iowa. Mr. Thompto is today conducting the most extensive business in hogs and cattle in this part of the country. His judgment is sound and in all business matters he readily discriminates between the essential and nonessential. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and at the same time he follows the most straightforward and reliable business methods. His path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's failures and he has ever utilized constructive methods in the upbuilding of his interests.

On August 1, 1888, Mr. Thompto was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Hanson, a native of Worth county and a daughter of Hans and Beatta (Larson) Hanson. To this union have been born five children, namely: Henry Lawrence, Ralph B., Elmer E., and Stella and Idella both of whom died at the age of two years.

The family residence is one of the fine homes of Northwood and Mr. Thompto is the owner of much valued residence property in the city. He and his wife are active members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and he belongs also to the Masonic fraternity and to the Sons of Norway. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him as he has ever preferred to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs. What he has undertaken he has accomplished. He has overcome difficulties and obstacles by determined effort and indefatigable enterprise has brought him steadily forward until he occupies today a position of leadership among the representative men of his section of the state.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, Pages 146 & 147.

Transcription by Gordon Felland, 9/13/2006