BIOGRAPHY - B. THOMPSON
Although he started out in life empty-handed, B. S. Thompson is now one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Pella township. He was born in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1866, and is a son of A. R. and M. W. Thompson, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. As a farm lad the subject of this review became familiar with the work of the fields, assisting his father from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. During the winter months he attended the public schools and in the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons. His early training, under the direction of his father, well qualified him to engage in farming on his own account when he attained his majority.
For two years Mr. Thompson rented a farm in Iroquois county and then came to Ford county, where he cultivated rented land for ten years. In the meantime, careful of expenditure and displaying unremitting industry in his work, he acquired the capital which in 1895 enabled him to purchase a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of rich land on section 27, Pella township. Later he bought an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres, so that he now owns in his home place a valuable farm of four hundred and forty acres. This lies in Pella township and in addition he is interested with his brother A. C. Thompson in the ownership of four hundred and forty acres in Rock Island and Whiteside counties. His property interests are the visible evidence of a life of untiring thrift and energy, and proves what may be accomplished through well defined purpose and unfaltering perseverance. In carrying on his farm Mr. Thompson displays modern methods of agriculture, is practical and energetic, and has made his home place one of the valuable farm properties of the county.
In 1903 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Mary Sherwin, and to them have been born two children, Martha Sherwin and Gwendolyn G. Mrs. Thompson belongs to the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Thompson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He was road commissioner and for seven years was school director. Whatever public service is entrusted to his care is faithfully performed and his aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. He belongs to Piper City Lodge, No. 608, A. F. & A. M., and to the Knight Templar Commandery at Fairbury. He has been very successful through life and he now owns one of the finest farms of the Pan Handle valley.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 738-739.
