Gunerius S. Thompson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1225-1226 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				GUNERIUS S. THOMPSON. 

	The wealth of South Dakota depends to a large extent upon her 
agricultural resources, and those who aid in the development of the 
land perform a great service for their state. Gunerius S. Thompson has 
thus won not only material success for himself through his farming 
operations but has contributed to the prosperity of South Dakota. He 
resides on section 29, Dell Rapids township, Minnehaha county, and is 
the owner of fifteen hundred and twenty acres of hand situated in the 
Sioux river valley. 

	His birth occurred in Norway, his natal day being March 7, 1857, 
and his parents being Goodthorn and Galand (Klaven) Thompson. The 
family came to the United States in 1865, locating in Goodhue county, 
Minnesota. where three years were spent. In 1868 they removed to South 
Dakota, settling on the farm upon which the subject of this review now 
resides. This place was taken up as a homestead and to file upon the 
land it was necessary to walk to Vermillion, where the land office was 
then located. The willingness to make the journey to Vermillion and 
back on foot is but one indication of the dauntless spirit which 
characterized Mr. Thompson and which made possible his success. When 
the family located in Dell Rapids township there was not a white 
settler in the Sioux river valley north of the Thompson home. The 
nearest neighbors were miles away and the days of Indian occupancy 
seemed but yesterday. The father had set himself to win a home in this 
new land and with resolute spirit persevered until the task was 
accomplished and he was the owner of a well improved farm. His death 
occurred upon the homestead in 1886, and his wife died in 1897. 

	Gunerius S. Thompson was reared at home and received excellent 
physical and moral training alike in the arduous school of pioneer 
life. He did his full share in the development of the farm, thus 
becoming familiar with the methods of agriculture best adapted to local 
conditions, while his knowledge of books was acquired in the district 
school, conducted in a log house. On reaching his majority, in 1878, he 
bought one hundred and twenty acres of land from his father and began 
farming independently. From the beginning he has been industrious and 
ambitious and, as these qualities have brought him success, he has from 
time to time added to his holdings until he now owns fifteen hundred 
and twenty acres of land in the Sioux river valley, all of which lies 
in Dell Rapids township, Minnehaha county, With the exception of a half 
section in Sverdrup township. This land is especially valuable, being 
as fine as any in South Dakota. The fact that Mr. Thompson so 
successfully operates Such an extensive tract of land is proof not only 
of his knowledge of farming in all of its phases, but also of his 
sagacity and good judgment as a business man. 

	Mr. Thompson was married on the 7th of May, 1878, to Miss 
Caroline Thompson, of Bulk township, Minnehaha county, her father, 
Torger Thompson, having come to the comity from Winneshiek county, 
Iowa, in ]874. Seventeen children were born to this union, thirteen of 
whom survive and eleven are yet at home. They are as follows: Clarence; 
Thomas; Gleora, the wife of Alexander Johnson, of Sioux Falls; Elmer; 
Clara, the wife of George Nearman, a farmer, who operates one of his 
father-in-law,s farms; Dolly; Myrtle; Lillian; Robert; Frances; Darwin; 
Wallace; and Fern. 

	The family are members of the United Lutheran church and are 
active in the work of the organization. Mr. Thompson is a republican in 
his political allegiance and is quite prominent in local affairs. He is 
the present chairman of the township board and is also chairman of the 
school board. Although he has served in these positions for many years, 
he has never sought any other office, feeling that his extensive 
business interests demand his time and attention. He has been eminently 
successful in attaining material prosperity and has also secured that 
which is above wealth-the sincere respect and honor of those who know 
him best.