My Genealogy Hound

John Thompson, farmer, Amity, Ark. If industry, hard work and ceaseless activity, united with a strong and determined perseverance, can accomplish anything in this world, then Mr. Thompson is bound to succeed, for in him are to be found all the characteristics mentioned, and, indeed, he is deserving of more than ordinary credit for his career in life. He was originally from South Carolina, where his birth occurred in 1825, and is the son of William Thompson, who was a native of South Carolina, a farmer, and who died about 1808. John Thompson was reared in Alabama, but came to Arkansas in 1854, and entered land in Columbia County, where he remained until 1866. He then moved to Clark County and bought his present farm, consisting of ninety acres of up land, on which he raises half a bale of cotton to the acre, and sixty acres of bottom land, on which he raises sixty bushels of corn to the acre. In 1863 he enlisted in Adair's company, Monroe's regiment, and his first engagement was at Poison Springs. He was afterward in the battle of Fayetteville and a number of severe engagements. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex. He was married in 1847 to Miss Caroline Runyan, who bore him six living children: Mary, William, Sarah, Paulina, Texanna and Jackson, all of whom are married and living in Arkansas with the exception of William, who resides in Texas. They were born, respectively, in the years 1848, 1850, 1852, 1859, 1862 and 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have three children deceased: Martha (who was born in 1855 and died in 1870), Jimmie (who was born in 1857 and died in 1858), and Franklin (who was born October 16. 1867, and was killed by lightning August 3, 1874). About half past 12 o'clock, on the evening of August 3, 1874, a small cloud hung over head, hardly noticeable, and John Thompson and his wife's brother, Franklin Runyan, were grinding an ax under a tree which stood in the yard. John Thompson's little son, Frankie, and one David Massey, were standing near by. The lightning struck the tree killing little Frankie and his uncle, Franklin Runyan, instantly, but only shocking John Thompson and David Massey. Mr. Thompson and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and are highly esteemed citizens. Mr. Thompson is a Democrat in his political views.