My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. THOMPSON. Many of the native-born citizens of Randolph County have adopted an agricultural career, and among this number is the gentleman above named, who in addition to carrying on his fine estate has operated a threshing machine since 1871, and has been engaged in running a sawmill for the past two years.

Our subject was born on the 19th of September, 1845, to James G. and Margaret Caroline (Campbell) Thompson. The father was born in the Abbeyville District, S. C., June 14, 1813, and on coming to Randolph County, about 1835, became one of the earliest settlers within its bounds. Later he removed to Arkansas, where his decease occurred, in Lawrence County, July 14, 1856. His first wife preceded him to the better land by many years, dying when our subject was only three years of age. Afterward he married Miss Ellen Mullin, by whom he had two children, who are now deceased. He was a farmer by occupation and was well-to-do in this world’s goods. The only child born of his union with Miss Campbell was our subject, who was educated in the common schools, and during the summer season worked on a farm, thus learning the many duties belonging to farm life.

When ready to establish home ties of his own, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, March 18, 1886, with Miss Louisa E. Thompson, who, like himself, was a native of this county. She was the daughter of Thomas M. and Martha (Hogue) Thompson; the father was born in South Carolina, and the mother was born in Randolph County. To our subject and his wife have been born two children, a daughter, Margaret M., and a son, Harry S., who died in infancy. With his wife he is a devoted member of the Baptist Church and enjoys all the esteem commanded by a man of an honest and upright life.

Mr. Thompson cast his first Presidential vote for Seymour and always voted the Democratic ticket until 1892, when he cast his ballot for the candidate of the People’s party. His beautiful estate, which comprises eighty acres, is located three and one-half miles southeast of Evansville, where he devotes the greater part of his time and attention to its cultivation. He has served as Constable for two terms of four years each, as Justice of the Peace one term of four years, Road Commissioner one term of three years, and at the present time is District Road Clerk.