Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Thompson, Rhonello G 
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Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

RHONELLO G. THOMPSON.

The Thompson family of which our subject is a representative was founded in 
New England in colonial days. His grandfather, James Thompson, was born in the 
Pine Tree state and was twice married, his first union being with Sarah Bacon. 
After her death he wedded Matilda Stiles, and both ladies were representatives 
of old New England families that were established in Maine at an early day. 
The children of the first union were: Timothy, a cooper and carpenter; Osgood; 
Samuel, who died in 1850; and James, who is still living on a farm in Maine. 
The mother died in 1832 and the father wedded Matilda Stiles, by whom he had 
six children: Sarah, wife of Benjamin Moody; Hannah J., wife of Robert 
Shaddock; John, a resident farmer of the Pine Tree state; Mary E., who is 
married and lives in Maine; Lydia, wife of Albert Small; and Arietta, who is 
married and lives in Maine. James Thompson removed to Athens, Maine, after his 
marriage and became a well-to-do and respected citizen of that locality, his 
death occurring there in 1865, when he had attained a venerable age. He held 
the office of selectman and served as an officer in the war of 1812, while one 
of his sons became a member of a Maine regiment during the civil war. He was 
incarcerated in Andersonville prison.

Osgood Thompson, the father of our subject, obtained the usual school 
privileges afforded in his native state at that time. He was born in Somerset, 
Maine, December 30, 1821, and was married there on the 18th of December, 1842, 
to Hannah W. Wentworth, whose birth occurred near Camden, Maine, June 2, 1823, 
a daughter of Reuben and Sarah Wentworth. Her father was descended from old 
New England Puritan ancestors who came from the mother country, where the 
family was one of prominence. Hon. John Wentworth, one of the prominent men of 
Chicago, is a member of the same family. Reuben Wentworth was a farmer near 
Camden, Maine, and was accounted one of the substantial citizens of the 
community. He lived to an advanced age, his death occurring in the Pine Tree 
state. His children were Enoch, John, Daniel, Joseph, Jane, Evangeline and 
Sarah.

After his marriage Osgood Thompson located in Somerset county, Maine, where he 
worked at his trade, maintaining his residence in Athens through a long 
period. In early life he served as a captain in the old state militia, was a 
selectman of his town, and held other local offices. In April, 1866, he came 
to Illinois, where in the following August he was joined by his family, who 
took up their abode on a farm in Highland township, Grundy county, upon which 
our subject now resides. The father rented the land at first, but afterward 
purchased it. It had been broken only the year previous to his arrival in the 
county, and all of the improvements upon it were placed there through his own 
efforts. The following year, he purchased eighty acres of land in Wall 
township, Ford county, locating upon that property in 1870 and making it his 
home until his death. By additional purchase he extended his boundaries until 
it comprised one hundred and twenty acres. He improved that farm from the 
original prairie, erected good buildings thereon and made an excellent home, 
being regarded as an industrious and capable man, who was highly respected. He 
died September 23, 1898, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife 
passed away July 4, 1897. Both were consistent members of the Methodist 
church, and Mr. Thompson served as a class-leader for twenty-five years, and 
took an active part in promoting the growth and upbuilding of the congregation 
with which he was connected. A few years prior to his death he put aside 
business cares and took up his abode in Melvin, Ford county, where he owned a 
pleasant home. He served as a member of the town council and was an 
influential citizen of that locality, greatly respected for his sterling 
worth. His children, seven in number, were all born in Maine, namely: William 
H., born May 21, 1842; Frederick G., born March 29, 1844; Anna B., born 
November 9, 1846; Rhonello G., born September 4, 1848; May F., born June 24, 
1854; James S., born July 9, 1858; and Vion O., born May 16, 1862. Of this 
family two of the sons, William and Fred, were members of the Seventh Maine 
Infantry during the civil war. They went to the front with Company F, for 
three years, and at the close of that period were honorably discharged, having 
participated in many battles, including the engagements at Gettysburg and the 
Wilderness, where Frederick was wounded.

Rhonello G. Thompson, whose name introduces this review, was born September 4, 
1848, at Athens, Maine, and enjoyed the usual common-school privileges. He 
assisted in the working of his father's farm near his native town, and in 
1866, when about nineteen years of age, came with his parents to Illinois. He 
was married when nearly twenty-two years of age in Highland township, Grundy 
county, to Alice Matilda Waite, the wedding being celebrated December 23, 
1869. The lady was born in that township March 26, 1851, and is a daughter of 
Philip and Nancy (Bryant) Waite. Her father was born in New York, January 6, 
1819, a son of Walter Waite, who represented one of the old New England 
families of English lineage, representatives of the name being pioneer 
settlers near Buffalo, New York. Walter Waite was a farmer by occupation, and 
with his family he removed to Kane county, Illinois, where he died at about 
the age of fifty years. His children were Philip, Benjamin, Simon, Lydia, 
Clark and Hiram. Philip Waite, the father of Mrs. Thompson, was educated in 
the common schools, reared on a farm, and in 1842 removed to Ohio, where he 
was married November 6, 1845, to Nancy Bryant, of Dresden, that state. Her 
father, Joseph Bryant, was a native of Virginia, and became one of the pioneer 
settlers of Muskingum county, Ohio, establishing his home in Dresden. By trade 
he was a tailor. His children were John, Martin, Letitia, Maria, Nancy and 
Matilda.

Philip Waite and his wife located on a farm in Muskingum county, Ohio, and in 
1849 came to Illinois, making the journey by team. They were six weeks upon 
the way and passed through Chicago when it was a mere village, Mr. Waite being 
offered a tract of land in what is now the heart of the city in exchange for 
his team of horses. He refused the offer, however, and continued on his way to 
Mazon township, Grundy county. Not long afterward he purchased land of the 
government in Highland township, a mile north and a mile west of the present 
home of our subject. This was wild prairie land upon which not a furrow had 
been turned or an improvement made, and not a house was in sight of their 
pioneer cabin. The country abounded in wild game, including deer, and venison 
was a frequent dish upon the family table. Mr. Waite prospered in his 
undertakings and added to his land until he became the owner of a valuable 
property of one hundred and ninety acres, all of which he placed under a high 
state of cultivation. He labored under many difficulties in his early 
settlement, but with characteristic determination conquered all obstacles. His 
horses were killed by lightning the first year and he was obliged to buy oxen. 
He also experienced the other hardships incident to the establishment of a 
home upon the frontier, but as the years passed by prosperity rewarded his 
labors. He was a member of the Universalist church and his wife belonged to 
the Christian church. An honorable and straightforward business man and a 
representative citizen, he was frequently called to public office, and for 
twenty years served as the supervisor of his township. His children were: 
Alvilda Maria, who was born March 10, 1842; Romanzo Walter, who was born in 
Muskingum county, Ohio, December 20, 1848; Alice M., who was born March 6, 
1851, in Mazon township, Grundy county; Emma Caroline, September 11, 1853; 
Edna Bryant, January 11, 1855; and Newton John, November 11, 1858.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thompson located on a farm in Wall township, 
Ford county, but the following year returned to Highland township, Grundy 
county, and in April, 1871, purchased their present farm, then comprising 
eighty acres, partially improved. By thrift and industry Mr. Thompson has 
prospered and has added to his property until he now has one hundred and sixty 
acres of land, which is under a high state of cultivation, constituting one of 
the finest farms in his township. In 1885 he erected an attractive residence 
and has erected other substantial buildings, which add to the value and 
attractive appearance of the place. The home has been blessed with three 
children: Edna C, who was born June 7, 1874, and died April 19, 1875; Charles 
Osgood, born April 19, 1876; and Leslie Eugene, born April 18, 1881. The elder 
son married Louie Greenwalt, of Buffalo, New York, who resides in Massillon, 
Ohio. They have one son, Vernon R.

Mr. Thompson has always followed farming, with the exception of a short time 
which he spent in Chicago, where he was engaged in the feed business in 
connection with his brother William. He still retains an interest in that 
store. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he is connected with the 
Knights of Pythias lodge of Verona.


Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p753-756

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