Union County, Ohio Biographies Project - James Thompson
JAMES THOMPSON
<> James Thompson, a merchant and a prominent
citizen of Dover Township, was born near Charlottesville, Va., February
28, 1812. He is a son of John and Polly (Nelson) Thompson,
natives of Virginia. His paternal grandfather, James Thompson,
was also a native of the Old Dominion. He participated in the
struggles for our national independence, and was present at the
surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. In 1818 he came to Mill
Creek Township with four sons and three daughters, viz.: James John.
Charles, William, Polly, wife of James Burns; Susan, wife of John Gray,
and Elizabeth. wife of David Price. Of these all died in Union
County, except James, who died near Chillicothe, and Mrs. Burns, whose
death occurred in Missouri. James Burns, her husband, was
connected with the Land Office of Missouri for fifteen years.
James Thompson died in Mill Creek Township in 1840. His father
emigrated to America subsequent to the French and Indian war, and
settled in Old Virginia, where he died. Mrs. Thompson, the wife
of James, departed this life in 1833. John, the father of our
subject, was drafted into military service during the war of
1812. For his first wife he married Polly Nelson, their children
were James (our subject), William, Elizabeth, and Nancy,
deceased. Mrs. Thompson, died in August 1816. Mr. Thompson
married for his second wife, Elizabeth Graham, by whom he had the
following children; George, Robert, Anderson, John, Susan, Elizabeth
and Temperance. Mr. Thompson died in Mill Creek Township, in
1836, James, our subject, whose name heads this sketch, was taken by
his grandfather whelk six years of age and reared and educated.
From the time he was fifteen years old till of age, its worked out by
the day, month and year. In 1832, he married and settled on forty
acres of land near Watkins, which purchase he had made some time
previously. He pursued the avocation of farming till 1838, when
he established a small store at Watkins, which was the first in Mill
Creek Township. Mr, Thompson continued in the mercantile business
at Watkins till April 1, 1878, when he removed to New Dover, resuming
the mercantile trade. In 1840, he was appointed Postmaster at
Watkins, and filled that office till 1861. During that period he
served as Justice of the Peace nine years. In 1860, he was
tendered the Deputy Marshalship of Union County, but on account of ill
health, declined. He was a great lover of military discipline,
and when a boy joined the militia and served as Drummer, Drum-Major,
First Lieutenant and Captain. At the disorganization of this
militia, and August 1, 1863, at the formation of the home militia he
was elected Captain of Company E, Third Battalion Ohio Militia, and
September 1, 1863, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel f the same
battalion. Mr. Thompson was the first Assessor or Mill Creek
Township, land served in every other official capacity in that
township. Mr. Thompson in embarked in lite a poor boy, and
dependent upon hit own exertions. By his untiring energy and industry,
he achieved a large success in the accumulation of this world's goods.
He owned land in Mill Creek, Dover and Taylor Townships, to the number
of 1,300 acres. He has since divided among his children, till
his farm now contains but 650 acres. Mr. Thompson was married
January 6, 1832, to Miss Catharine Gamble, who died September 9, 1854,
leaving him six children, viz.: John G., Robert W., Nelson P., Tyler,
Joseph S., Mary L., wife of W. S. Rogers, and Ray T. Mr. Thompson
celebrated his second marriage December 31, 1855, with Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of John and Sarah Gamble. Two children were the fruits
of this union-George E. and Horace G. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson
religiously entertain the views of the church of the Disciples.
Mr. T. in politics, is decidedly Democratic.<>