MRS. LOUISA VIRDEN was born in Champaign County, Ohio, August 6, 1825, and is a daughter of Joseph H. and Mary (Ferguson) Thompson, the former a native of Harrison County, W. Va., and the latter of Kentucky and of English, Irish and German descent. Joseph H. Thompson was born July 2, 1788, and was married in Champaign County, Ohio, in June, 1824. In September, 1829, he came with his wife and three children to what afterward became Big Creek Township; entered a squatter's claim, made some improvements, and when the land came into the market purchased 160 acres at the sale at Crawfordsville. At this early day, Indians alone were his neighbors. In 1835, be sold this place, and moved to a farm of 300 acres, in the same township, which be had previously purchased also purchasing at the same time another farm near Reynolds. About 1860, he traded a part of his lands in Big Creek for lands in Honey Creek Township, and also for a hotel and other property in Reynolds, where he resided until his death, January 18, 1875. Mr. Thompson for many years was a Justice of the Peace in Ohio, and was a class leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church his wife also was a member. Mrs. Mary Thompson died at her home in Reynolds, on December 9, 1877. Mrs. Louisa (Thompson) Virden received her early education in the frontier schoolhouses, but improved herself by after study, and her appearance still indicates her to be a lady of more than ordinary intelligence. She was married, April 2, 1846, to Stratton Virden, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born May 10, 1817, and a son of William and Lydia (Hopkins) Virden, both natives of Ohio and of Scotch and Irish descent. Stratton Virden had come to this county with his mother in the fall of 1833. Immediately after his marriage, he and wife moved to Wea Plains, Tippecanoe County, where Mr. Virden owned a farm. There they resided until April, 1866, when they sold and came to this township, bought a farm of 200 acres, and here, August 22, 1874, in his fifty-eighth year, Mr. Virden was killed by lightning while feeding his hogs. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father of eight children, five of whom are yet living. Mrs. Virden still resides on the home farm in retirement; she is one of the oldest settlers in the township and county. As was her husband, she is and has been for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Back to the White County Biographies Main Page