My Genealogy Hound

Samuel W. Thompson, although just in the prime of life, has made his way to the front ranks among the energetic farmers of this county, and owing to the attention he has always paid to each minor detail, he has accumulated a fair share of this world’s goods. He is a native-born resident of the county, his birth occurring on the 9th of December, 1845, and he is a son of William and Mary (McLean) Thompson, who were also well known here. The father was born in Virginia, March 3, 1815, and when a child only seven years of age, he was taken to Knox County, Tenn., by an uncle, whence, after remaining there a short time, he came to Arkansas, and became interested in farming and wagon making, which occupations he followed for many years. After the war, he farmed exclusively, and was school commissioner for years, also county and probate judge, and was filling the latter position at the opening of the Rebellion, being appointed to the same position after the cessation of hostilities. He was a well-known and respected citizen, and he and his wife, whose native State was Missouri, having been born there in 1816, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Her death occurred in this county in 1856. He died November 23, 1883. During early times, meetings were held in their house in lieu of a public building, and for years he was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday-school. He was a lifelong Democrat and Mason, and was an active worker for all causes tending to the good of the county. His father, who was born in Ireland, at an early day came to the United States and settled in Virginia, but afterward returned to Ireland, and was never afterward heard from. The maternal grandfather, William McLean, was a Virginian, who removed to Kentucky, thence to Cape Girardeau County, Mo., and afterward to Randolph County, Ark., and in the latter county took up his abode on the farm on which our subject is now residing. To William and Mary Thompson eleven children were born, of whom the following are living: John B., a resident of Washington Territory; David D., a farmer of Randolph County, Ark., and Samuel W. The latter acquired a fair knowledge of the English branches in the common schools of his native county, and remained at home assisting his father until 1863, when he enlisted in Capt. Connor’s company, Confederate States army, Cavalry service, and was on active duty until June 5, 1865, when he was discharged at Jacksonport, Ark. He started for himself with no means, but now has 320 acres of some of the best land in the county, and is considered one of its best farmers. He is a Democrat in polititics, and in 1874 was elected county assessor, also to the office of justice of the peace, and filled both positions with much credit to himself for four years. December 20, 1866, he was married to Maria E. Adams, a daughter of William H. Adams. She was born in Bedford County, Tenn., April 20, 1849, and is the mother of six children: Beatrice, Hettie E., William A., Edward, Eugene and Marion E. Willie, Augustus and Luther are deceased. Mr. Thompson is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the K. of H.