NOBLE COUNTY OHIO - OBIT: THOMPSON, Joseph H. (d. 1886) *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by CJ Patterson cjpatterson@usa.net Oct. 22, 1997 *************************************************************************** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caldwell Press Thursday, 17 Jun 1886 Obituary Died--June 3d, 1886, Joseph H. Thompson in the 80th year of his age. Mr. Thompson was born in Fallowfield Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, Feb 8, 1807. He was married January 7, 1830 to Ann S. Hearthington who survives her husband. He engaged in teaching for a time, but throughout his long and useful life, he was deeply interested in the cause of education, employing his means and exerting his influence in building up schools and advancing the interests of teachers and pupils. At an early age he took a decided stand against the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. He assisted in organizing the first temperance society in Fallowfield Township, Washington County, bringing from Pittsburg a lecturer for the occasion. He afterwards became a charter member of lodge No 297 at Bentleysville, furnishing the timber for building the hall. He was all his life, a strict temperance man and his influence was felt wherever he resided. Opposed to oppression, he espoused to abolition of slavery at a time when that cause was very unpopular, casting the only vote given in the township which he resided for James G. Birney, Abolition candidate for the Presidency in 1840, who received but 7059 votes. But he was a man who always followed his convictions, however unpopular they might be. He connected himself with the M.E. church while quite young and lived the life of an upright Christian, generously contributing his time and means to the cause of religion, and furnishing an example of Christian deportment worthy of emulation. Having decided convictions on all the great questions of the day, he was liberal toward those with whom he differed, disarming their hostility and often converting their reason and it may be truly said of him, he had no enemies. He came to Ohio in 1854 and located near Carlisle, where he has since resided. He was followed to the tomb by a large concourse of mourning friends and relatives, all of whom felt they were better for having known him. The funeral exercises were conducted by the Rev. Geo. M. Wilson, who preached an eloquent sermon from the words of Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith henceforth, there is laid up for me, a crown of righteousness." With these appropriate words, we shall take our leave. B.A. [Died 3 Jun 1886]