Thompson - Samuel H.D. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: H. W. Beckwith, 1881 History of Montgomery County, Indiana  (Chicago: Hill) p 438

 

THOMPSON, S.H.D., farmer and shipper, Crawfordsville, located in Madison Twp. 1861, on his farm of 420 acres, at the station Cherry Grove, and for some time conducted a sawmill with success and at the same time he was engaged in buying and shipping stock, which he made profitable. He was born in Montgomery Co. in 1837. His parents, Nehemiah and Nancy Thompson, both of whom were natives of Ohio and pioneer settlers. When they settled in Montgomery Co. the Indians still lurked in the forest and Crawfordsville contained but 3 cabins. They still reside at Whitesville. Mr. T. received no education outside the common schools. Through his energy and natural ability he is a success in business. He was marr. in 1865 to Nancy E. KERR, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Kerr, by whom he has 3 children: Bellmont A; Ottis O and Pearl. in politics he is a democrat, and dislikes the great excitement that is carried on in political campaigns. His farm is the best in the soutH. W. est part of Madison township. He raises cattle, sheep and hogs of a good grade. He is a member of the IOOF [Independent Order of Odd Fellows]  at Linden, Indiana.

================

 

Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 508

 

Samuel HD THOMPSON, a prosperous farmer and excellent citizen, now residing upon Sec 31, Madison Twp, Montgomery County, Ind has been located in the county all his life, and since arriving at mature years, has in word and deed ever been identified witht he best interests and progressive movements in his immediate locality. Our subject is a native of Whitesville and was born in 1839, therefore for over half a century he has been dwelling within easy distance of his present home.

 

Trained in early life to habits of industry and self-reliance, Mr. Thompson has availed himself of all opportunities for advancement and is an ardent advocate of liberal education for the young.

 

A hard working, energetic, ambitious man he has won a competence from the soil, the broad acres of his valuable and finely improved homestead attesting his excellent business management and thorough knowledge of general agrictulrue.

 

A representative American, self made and aided in the upward course, only by his strong right arm and honest life, our subject is worthy of the respect and honor in which he is held by al who knew him.

 

Mr. Thompson is the fifth in a family of 8 children born to Nehemiah and Nancy DAVIDSON Thompson, who were both natives of PA.

 

The father was born in the Quaker State in the year 1805, the mother of the family being her husband's senior having been born in the first par tof the present century. In the eventful year of her birth, 1800, the seat of the Gernal government was removed from PA, a state noted from the early days for the high calling, steadfast purpose and energy of its pioneer settlers.

 

It was in this favored state, in which the independence of our country was proclaimed that the immediate ancestors of our subject made their early home.  Samuel Thompson's paternal grandafther, Moses Thompson, was the father of 3 sons, who were named Daniel, William and Nehemiah, the last named being the father of Mr. Thompson was was an excellent man and fine husband to his faithful and devoted wife.

 

In the usual interchange of population constantly going on in America, even in the very early days, PA contributed largely to the population of the new western states. Among those who went out from her borders was the family of our subject, whose permanent destination was Indiana.

 

The 8 children, of whom mention was made before were as follows: Moses, died in Ladoga, leaving a family; Jonathan W of Union Twp; Mary J. who married Isaac SCHENCK of Whitesville; David B of Iowa; Samuel H.D. our subject; Nancy E. who married WIlliam OLIVER and is deceased; David of Ladoga and Nehemiah who died unmarried.

 

Samuel Thompson's schooling was that afforeded by the public schools of the county.

 

At the age of 31 he married Miss Mary E. KERR, who was also a native of Montgomery Co.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of four children, 3 sons and one daughter who are intelligent youn gpeople rapidly advancing to maturity.

 

In 1861 Mr. Thompson purchased 160 acres of good farming land to which he has now added 268 making a total of 428 acres of valuable land, well improved and desirably located.

 

Mr. Thompson is a stanch Democrat and ably defends the platform and principles of the party.

Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913, p. 701.  

One of the venerable farmers and worthy native sons of Montgomery County is Samuel H. D. THOMPSON, a man whom it is interesting to talk to, for he can tell you many interesting things about the pioneer life of this locality and of the great changes that have been noted here during his residents of 3/4 of a century. Nearly all of his companions of the olden times are calmly sleeping beneath the somber shades of the quiet "God's acre," using the ancient Saxon phrase for the sacred plots where we lay our dead away.  Scattered here and there are his boon companions of the decades that are gone, while he awaits the final summons to rejoin them in the after life where toil shall cease and friendships never more be severed.  His life in the main has been along the quiet, sequestered vale and while comparatively uneventful, it has abounded in much good for humanity and proved an inestimable blessing to those with whom he has daily associated. His friendsare numerous and they all unite in wishing for him the recurrence of many anniversaries of his birth.  Mr. Thompson was born in Montgomery County on March 3, 1837.  He is a son of Nehemiah and Nancy (Davidson) THompson.  The father was born in the year 1801 in Pennsylvania from which state he came to Montgomery County Indiana in a very early day, as the mother of our subject also did.  The paternal grandparents of our subject were Moses and Mary (Johnston) Thompson. Moses Thompson was also a native of Pennsylvania and when young in years came to Ohio and in 1826, in company with his family, locating in Union Township, where they entered 160 acres from the government, and on this the elder Thompson made his home until his death which occurred in the early 40s, his widow surviving until the latter 40s.  Three children, all now deceased were born to them: William, Nehemiah and Daniel.  Nehemiah Thompson, mentioned in preceding paragraphs, worked on the farm which his father entered from the government, but he labored under physicial disabilities and, seeking an easier way to make a living, learned to be a carpet weaver.  His death occurred in 1882. He was a Democrat, and an old-time Baptist.  Soon after he came to this locality he married Nancy DAVIDSON.  She was born October 10, 1800 in Pennsylvania.To this union the following children were born: Moses F; J.W.P.; Mary Jane, the widow of Isaac SCHENCK; Daniel B of California; Sam H.D. Of Madison Township; Nehemiah J, deceased; Nancy E, wife of W. OLIVER; David S. is deceased. Samuel H. D. Thompson grew to manhood on the home farm and he assisted with the general work of the same when a boy, receiving his education in the district schools.  When a young man he took up general farming for a livelihood and followed the same for four years, getting a good start in the meantime. During these years he also operated a saw mill, but he later devoted his attention exclusively to general farming and is still active, owning a valuable and well improved estate in Madison Township. Mr. Thompson was married on August 14, 1866 to Mary E. KERR, duaghter of Joseph and Eliza WHEELER Kerr. They were natives of Ohio  coming to Indiana in wagons in an early day, and entered land from the government in Union Township where they spent some time.  Grandfather Wheeler was also among the early settlers here, and also grandfather Kerr.To Joseph kerr and wife six children were born: Mary E. who married Mr. Thompson of this sketch; Joseph G.; William H.; Laurie E.; John G. and Frank M. all deceased.  Mr. Kerr developed a good farm in Madison Township where he moved from Union Township and he died in the former township.  Samuel H. D. Thompson is a Democrat and was a member of the township advisory board for one term.  He was a supervisor of the county for one term.  He is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Thompson's family consists of four children: Belmont A is at home; Otis O. married Anne Wilson and lives in Madison Township; Pearl E married James H. Layton of Madison Township; Clyde R. is married to Cordelia Breneman and is at home.