Marshall County KS Archives Biographies.....Thomson, Frank 1861 - 
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Author: Emma E. Forter (1917)

FRANK THOMSON.

    Irving, Marshall county, and one of the beautiful and progressive little
cities of the state, has some splendid stores and business industries, among the
number being the one owned and operated by Frank Thomson, who was born in
Brooklyn, New York, on October 10, 1861, and is the son of John and Margaret
Thomson.

    John and Margaret Thomson were natives of Edinburgh, Scotland, and were
educated in the schools of that country. John Thomson became a soldier in the
British army and was stationed in the fort at Quebec, Canada. He later came to
the United States and located at Brooklyn, New York, where he worked at his
trade as a printer. In 1870 he and his family came to Kansas and established a
home in Irving. He established the Irving Gazette, which he published for five
years; he died in the year 1880. His wife, who was born in 1831, is now living
with her son. John and Margaret Thomson were the parents of ten children, eight
of whom grew to maturity: John, Bessie, Frank, Hugh, Margaret, Jean, Grace and
Alice. John is a resident of San Antonio, Texas; Bessie is the wife of Thomas J.
Moxley, of Blue Rapids, Kansas, now deceased; Hugh is a merchant of Irving;
Margaret Filley is also a resident of Irving; Jean Moyer is now deceased and
Alice Lhotak is also deceased.

    Margaret Thomson, the mother, is truly a pioneer, having come to Canada
almost eighty years ago, when that county was a wilderness and later coming to
Kansas, when every cow path was a road and one could travel anywhere and
everywhere without let or hindrance. She has voyaged across the Atlantic ocean
three times and in her seventy-seventh year made a trip to California alone. Now
in her eighty-sixth year, in-full possession of all her faculties, she is
enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life, surrounded by her children and
grandchildren, who pay her homage.

    Frank Thomson received his education in the schools of Irving and as a lad
began work in the store of E. Peterson, a well-known merchant of that city. He
remained in that store until 1892, when he began business for himself, and is
today one of the successful and substantial merchants of the town. He is most
progressive and, by business-like and honest methods, he has won the confidence
of the people of his community, where he is held in high regard.

    In 1889 Frank Thomson was united in marriage to Minnie E. Woodman, of Oketo,
Kansas, and the daughter of W. D. Woodman and wife, who now reside at
Vermillion. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomson have been born three children, John W.,
Reginald G. and Mildred E. John W. is a graduate of the home schools and of the
University .of Kansas and is now the efficient principal of the high school at
Kensington, Smith county, Kansas; Reginald G. is a student in Baker University
and will complete the course of study in the class of 1917 and Mildred E. will
graduate from the Battle Creek, Michigan, Normal School of Physical Education in
1917. Mrs. Thomson and the children are members of the Presbyterian church, and
Mr. Thomson is a regular attendant and a liberal supporter of the local church.
The family have long been active in the social and educational life of the city,
where they are so well known and where they are held in much esteem. Mr. and
Mrs. Thomson, who have lived in the county for so many years, have seen many
changes in all lines of development. In 1870 when Mr. Thomson came to Irving
with his parents, there was then little that would indicate a prospect of the
present progressive and thriving little city. The wild prairies and the wooded
tracts that surrounded the little town, have been transformed into
well-cultivated fields and farms, improved with splendid and modern buildings,
that would suggest an era of great prosperity. The territory was then, and for
many years later, being settled by an excellent class of citizens, whose ideals
were of the highest and whose intentions were to make this section of Kansas one
of the most productive and progressive. In all this great development Mr.
Thomson has had his part, and in the management of an up-to-date mercantile
establishment, he has builded wiser perhaps, than he thought.

    Politically, Mr. Thomson is a Republican, and while not an office seeker, he
has taken an active interest in the civic life of the city. He is a member of
the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen
of America and the Knights and Ladies of Security.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

History of Marshall County, Kansas: its people, industries, and institutions
by
Emma E. Forter

Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co. (1917)


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