HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      417

    Thomas A. Thompson largely acquired his education in the public
schools of Hoosierville, Clay county, following the removal of his parents
to that place. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when
he was placed in charge of the mine supply store of W. R. Risher &
Company, at Hoosierville. He continued in that capacity for about four
years, and in 1894 came to Brazil, where he established a meat market,
conducting the business successfully until May, 1900, when he began
dealing in staple and fancy groceries as a partner of William Collier. He
is thus associated with the business interests of the city at the present time
and is also a stockholder in the Brazil Clay Company and in the Citizens’
National Bank.
    On the 9th of July, 1893, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Naomi
Simonson, whose birth occurred near Brazil in Clay county October 31,
1873, a daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Berry) Simonson. Her
paternal grandfather was Aaron Simonson, a native of Ohio, who
came with his family to Clay county during an early epoch in
its development and settlement. His son, Isaac Simonson, was
born in the Buckeye state, but was brought to Clay county
during his early boyhood and was here reared amid the wild scenes and
environments of frontier life. He soon became familiar with the arduous
task of developing a new farm, and the occupation to which he was reared
he has made his life work. He still resides in Jackson township, this
county, and devotes his energies to general agricultural pursuits. He was
married to Eliza Berry, a native of this county, who died at the age of
twenty-three years, leaving three children, John W., Etta and Mrs.
Thompson, the latter being but eleven months old at the time of her
mother’s death. Mr. Simonson was afterward again married, his second
union being with Amanda Ellen Busby. Unto them were born six chil-
dren, of whom five survive, namely: Myrtle, Rebecca, Margaret, Frank
and Bailey. Mr. Simonson is well known in this county, where he has so
long resided, his memory forming a connecting link between the prim-
itive past and the progressive present, with all of its evidences of modern
civilization. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and has
shaped his life in accordance with its teachings. His political allegiance
is given to the Republican party, for he believes that its platform contains
the best elements of good government.
    The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson has been blessed with two
children, Isaac Carl and Hubert Q. The parents are both well known in
Brazil and the county, and enjoy the warm regard of a circle of friends
which is constantly increasing as the circle of their acquaintances
broadens. Mr. Thompson is very prominent in the Masonic fraternity,
holding membership in Brazil lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. He was
twice Master of the lodge and is now a Past Master, and while he was
serving in its chief office there were received more members in the lodge
than in any lodge of the state outside of Indianapolis in the year 1903.
Forty-seven members took the Master Mason’s degree and the growth
of the organization was attributable in large measure to the untiring
efforts and zeal of Mr. Thompson, who was the youngest worshipful
Master that has ever filled the position in Brazil lodge. He was acting
grand junior warden at the laying of the corner stone of the Brazil
library and also at the laying of the corner stone of the courthouse in
Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana. He has taken the degrees of
capitular Masonry in Brazil chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., and belongs to