BIOGRAPHY: Francis A. THOMPSON, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 454-5
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FRANCIS A. THOMPSON, a general merchant of Lilly, this county, is a son of John 
and Esther (Foster) Thompson, and was born on the old homestead, near 
Mooresville, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1845. The Thompson family 
is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. John Thompson (father) was born in Shaffer's Creek 
valley, Huntingdon county, September 8, 1800; received his education in the old 
subscription schools of those early days, and for ten or twelve years taught 
school in Huntingdon county. In political affairs he was an old-line whig. From 
1859 to 1860 he was steward of the Huntingdon county almshouse, and served for 
thirty-five years as justice of the peace, holding that office at the time of 
his death, December, 1868. He was a man of good judgment and sound principles, 
and deservedly popular in his locality. He was for many years an active and 
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, took a deep interest in 
religious affairs, and was a great worker in the cause of Christianity.
     His marriage with Esther Foster, who died in 1866, was blessed in the birth 
of fifteen children, nine of whom are living.
     Francis A. Thompson was reared on the old homestead, and received a limited 
education in the public schools of his native county. In the fall of 1861, when 
a boy of about sixteen years, he enlisted in the service of his country in 
company B, One Hundred and Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, at camp 
Crosman. He remained here but a short time when his father compelled him to 
return home, and he attended school during the following winter, but in the 
spring of 1862 he rejoined the army, this time enlisting with company G, Third 
Pennsylvania militia, remaining with the militia sometime. In 1863, when the 
rebels invaded Pennsylvania, he enlisted in company F, Twenty-seventh regiment, 
Pennsylvania volunteers, and served with this company several months. In 
February, 1864, he enlisted again. This time he joined company B, One Hundred 
and Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until the close of the 
war, taking part in the following battles: The Wilderness, Po River, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, siege of Richmond; in fact, was with his company in 
every engagement until the close of the war, receiving his final discharge, June 
28, 1865.
     On leaving the service he returned to his home in Huntingdon county, where 
for two years he was employed as a clerk in a general store. About 1867 he 
removed to Lilly, this county, and managed the general store of a coal company 
until 1874, when he embarked in mercantile business for himself, and opened a 
general store in Lilly, which he conducted until 1884. In the latter year he 
sold out, and for several years was not actively engaged in any business. In 
1892 he began the manufacture of soft drinks, but disposed of that business in 
May, 1896, since which time he has been engaged in the mercantile business.
     Politically, he has been a life-long republican, and in 1890 was member 
from Cambria county on the State Central committee, and served one term in the 
town council of Lilly. In 1878 he was appointed postmaster of Lilly, under 
President Hayes, and filled the position satisfactorily until President 
Cleveland's administration. He was removed in 1885. In 1889 he was re-appointed 
by President Harrison, serving until 1893. He has always been prominently 
identified with his party, and takes an active interest in local and county 
issues.
     He is a member of Col. Dick White Post, No. 513, G.A.R., of Lilly; Knights 
of Pythias, Lilly Lodge, No. 206; and Knights of Mystic Chain, Lilly Lodge, No. 
75.
     In 1874 he wedded Elizabeth McIntosh, and to this union two children have 
been born, Esther A., and a son who died in infancy.