Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Thompson, Robert G. March 17, 1837 - May 29, 1894
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Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net August 1, 2006, 12:02 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons

Page 368, 369

ROBERT G. THOMPSON
	In the death of Robert G. Thompson, on May 29, 1894, there passed away 
one of the noted and prominent men of eastern Oregon, entailing a loss upon 
the whole section that was keenly felt and deeply mourned.  He was 
indissolubly connected with the upbuilding and material progress of the county 
from a very early day, ever bringing to bear in the solution of the problems 
of public affairs the masterly wisdom, keen foresight and excellent financial 
ability of which he was possessed, seeking the public interest and the welfare 
of his fellows. 
	The birth of Mr. Thompson occurred in Missouri, on March 17, 1837, 
being the son of John and Mary (Campbell) Thompson.  For sixteen years he 
remained in his native state, gaining a good common school education, and in 
1853, in company with his parents, crossed the plains, facing danger and 
enduring hardships, that they might carve out for themselves a home in this 
favored country.  They settled first in southern Oregon, but as early as 1860 
our subject came to the Grande Ronde valley, engaging in packing supplies to 
the various mining districts, which he followed for five years and then came 
to this county and settled, embarking in sheep raising.  To this enterprise he 
gave his attention until the time of his death, although by no means to the 
exclusion of other worthy achievements from time to time as the occasion 
called for.  But the continuity of the man is seen plainly in that while 
others entered and then retired from this business he continued steadily at it 
through the unfavorable as well as the favorable years, and the reward of his 
faithfulness is seen in the great accumulations that were his to leave for the 
enjoyment of his loved ones that remained behind.  His sheep were kept mostly 
in the southern part of the county and in Grant county.  Eleven years since he 
built an elegant residence in Pendleton, on Water street, where his widow is 
living at the present time.  He built two brick blocks on Main street, corner 
of Alta, in the same city.  He was a stockholder in and the vice-president of 
the First National Bank of Pendleton, the prosperity of which institution is 
greatly indebted to his keen foresight and sagacious financial ability.  He 
was at one time the holder of heavy interests in the Byers Flouring Mill.  The 
fraternal affiliations of Mr. Thompson were with the I. O. O. F. and the 
Masonic order.  But the time came, on the 29th day of May, 1894, when he was 
called to lay down the duties that had occupied him here, to cease from the 
activities wherein he had made such a commendable record and to enter the 
scenes of another world, which event was mourned and lamented by the entire 
community, each feeling that a personal loss had come to them.  His remains 
were interred in the Olaney cemetery, the last sad rites being administered in 
proper form from his home.
	A widow and three children are the immediate relatives that mourn the 
loss of a beloved father and devoted husband, while the entire community 
realized that a noble man had gone from their midst, whose wise counsels and 
kind assistance would be theirs no more save as memory lived over the scenes 
of the past, bringing to mind the familiar words and form of the grand old 
pioneer, whose benign influence is fresh in the hearts of an appreciative 
people. 
	Mrs. Leona Thompson, whose marriage occurred on February 22, 1875, is 
still residing at the old home place on Water street.  The fruit of the union 
was five children: Ida, Harriet E., Edna E., Mary C., deceased, and Claudia 
M., deceased.  Mrs. Thompson’s parents were Elijah and Susan (Wittemore) 
Welch, natives of Illinois.  Mr. Welch crossed the plains in 1852, settling in 
the Willamette valley and engaging in the cattle business until 1863, when he 
came to the Grande Ronde valley, and in 1860 he came to this county and gave 
his attention to raising cattle and sheep.  He is still living in Pendleton.
	Mrs. Thompson is a lady of gracious personality and given to the 
kindly assistance of her race and much disposed to charitable works.  


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


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