My Genealogy Hound

MATHEW W. THOMPSON is a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 13, township 44, range 27, Johnson County. He is a self-made and self-educated man, having risen through his own individual efforts, with such assistance as was afforded by his good wife, who has been a true helpmate.

The birth of our subject occurred in Monroe County, Tenn., January 27, 1832, his parents being Robert and Elizabeth (Berry) Thompson, both natives of Virginia. They removed to Tennessee in childhood with their parents, and were married in that state. The father, who was born May 14, 1794, emigrated to Missouri in 1834, when our subject was only two years of age, and settled in what was then Lafayette, but is now Johnson, County. After farming there for one summer, he removed to Post Oak Township, where he rented land for two years. Then, entering a tract in Chilhowee Township, a mile east of the village of that name, he there passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring February 3, 1867. During the war he adhered to the Union cause, and on account of his sentiments was obliged to leave home at one time. His wife died before the war had been many months in progress, September 8, 1861. Of the nine children born to their union, one, Thomas B., died when about twelve years of age. The eldest, George B., learned the printer’s trade, and was an assistant editor on the Lexington Express; his death occurred in February, 1842. Samuel E. was a soldier in the Fifteenth Kansas Regiment, and died at Ft. Leavenworth, leaving a wife and three children. Joanna married Samuel I. Harris, is the mother of four children, and is a resident of Rose Bud, Falls County, Tex. Sarah died in Chilhowee Township. Thomas B. was the next in order of birth. William C., who is married and has a large family, is now a resident of Warrensburg. Gideon B., of this township, is married and has three children. Mary, wife of James Davis, lives on the old homestead in this township.

Mathew W. Thompson lived with his father until the war came on, up to which time his schooling comprised only about ten months, all told, and in order to receive these meager advantages he was obliged to walk five miles daily. On reaching his majority, he started forth to make his own living, but also contributed to the support of his parents. July 19, 1862, he became a member of the Fortieth Enrolled Missouri Militia, participated in several skirmishes, and served some eighteen months under Captains Cunningham and Marr. He was also a member of the Provisional Militia for some seven months, in 1863, and took part in two engagements. After the command was disbanded he went into the enrolled militia and served for three months, and in 1864 took part in the raid against Price.

October 1, 1865, Mr. Thompson married Mrs. Elizabeth M. Goff, of Henry County, Mo. Her parents were Ransom and Nancy (Wilson) Faith, natives of Indiana and Tennessee, respectively. They were married in Henry County, Mo., and Mrs. Thompson was born in Calhoun, September 1, 1844. Eight children have come to bless the home of our subject and his wife. Logan W., born July 9, 1866, is married, has three children, and is now a resident of Clinton, Mo.; James R., unmarried, was born September 28, 1868, and resides in this township; Leroy was born February 27, 1871; Jesse O., November 11, 1874; Buell H., February 26, 1876; William A., November 16, 1878; Ora E., July 26, 1882; and Walter W., October 5, 1889.

In 1854 Mr. Thompson bought one hundred and forty acres of land and made a few improvements on the place, but during the war it lay idle and the fences and such crops as were on the farm were burned. Before his marriage he built a small house, and has since made his home within its walls. He has forty acres of timberland, and cultivates as much of his farm as he is well able to attend to. He has been very successful, has provided nicely for his family, and has laid aside a certain sum each year for emergencies. His father was a Whig and voted for Hugh L. White in Tennessee, for Harrison in 1840, and for Bell and Everett in 1860. In 1856 Mathew W. cast his first Presidential ballot for Fillmore, supported Bell in 1860, MacClellan four years later, and has since voted the straight Democratic ticket.