My Genealogy Hound

John Marion Thompson was born Perry County, Tenn., in 1834, and is a son of William G. and Elizabeth C. (Hagan) Thompson. The father was of Irish and Scotch descent, and was born in Mecklenburgh County, N. C., in 1804, and at the age of nine years was taken by his father, John Thompson, to Bedford County, Tenn., where he received the education and rearing of the average farmer’s boy of that period, and was married in 1825. In 1852 he located in Henry County, Tenn., and in January, 1880, became a resident of Sebastian County, and on the 23d of the same month died at the home of his son, John M., having contracted a cold on his way here. His wife was born in Middle Tennessee in 1804, and died October 10, 1874, having borne a family of ten children, five of whom are living: Margaret, wife of W. L. Cole; Rebecca J., wife of Thomas Ary; John Marion, Martha K., and Amanda, wife of W. W. Holden. John Marion resided under the paternal roof until twenty-two years of age, and during the late war was one of the boys in gray. May 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was a participant in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfeesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, Jonesboro and many severe skirmishes. He was neither wounded nor captured during the war, and was only sick when he had the measles. He was paroled at Johnsonville, Tenn., May 23, 1865, but surrendered at Greensboro, N. C. His service extended over a period of four years and three days. After the war he returned to Henry County, Tenn., and February 22, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Cole, a daughter of Joseph and Polly Cole. She was born in 1834 or 1835, and died in Sebastian County, Ark., April 24, 1885, having borne a family of five children: Emma B., wife of Harvey Oliver; Joseph E.; Lulu D., who is keeping house for her father; Albert S. and Mary M. In 1870 Mr. Thompson moved to Calloway County, Ky., and seven years later came to Sebastian County, Ark., and the following year purchased eighty-seven acres of some of the most fertile land in the county. He has since increased his land until he now owns 105 acres, and throughout the county is considered one of its foremost farmers. His farm is about six miles from the county seat, and he has a pleasant and comfortable residence. He is a Democrat in his political views.