BIOGRAPHIES:  John C. THOMPSON, Arland Township, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2004
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John C. Thompson who, during the last few years of his life, which were
spent in Barron County, did the initial work in the development of a
flourishing farm, was born in Finland, Sept. 6, 1862. He attended school in
his native land and subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the
age of 22, desiring to better himself, he set out for the United States,
landed at New York and immediately went west to Idaho, in which state and
in Montana he worked in mines until 1902. He then took another step in
advance, coming to Barron County and beginning an independent career as a
farmer. The first land he purchased was a tract of 80 acres in section 8,
Arland Township, to which he later added 40 more, making a total of 120
acres of wild land. He rebuilt the house, barn and outbuildings, the
original structures being small and poor, and in a few years had cleared 25
acres of his land. Here he was engaged in mixed farming and dairying until
his death at the age of 45 years on Dec. 18, 1907. Industrious and
ambitious, he would doubtless have accomplished greater things had his life
been longer spared. His church was that of the Finnish Synod. Mr. Thompson
was married May 7, 1892, to Sophia Tokoi, who was born in Finland, Sept.
12, 1868. She came to this country in 1887, going to Granite, Mont., where
her marriage with Mr. Thompson occurred. They were the parents of five
children: Fannie L., born Jan. 19, 1894, now living in Minneapolis; William
T., born Jan. 27, 1897, who is operating the home farm under rental from
his mother; John E., born Nov. 19, 1898, who died June 6, 1899; Greeta F.,
born Nov. 27, 1900, now Mrs. Hjalmer Wisti, and John F., born Aug. 6, 1903.
After Mr. Thompson's death Mrs. Thompson continued to operate the farm,
hiring help during the busy season until her son, William T., should become
old enough to shoulder the responsibility. In 1916 he became manager of the
farm, which in 1920 he rented of his mother. In the year when he assumed
charge he erected a new barn, 36 by 64 feet in size, and provided with
James equipment. In 1921 he installed an individual gas lighting system,
furnishing light for house, barn, outbuildings and yards. He carries on
general farming and dairying, keeping Holstein cattle mainly, with a pure
bred sire, and is conducting a paying business. He is a member of the Farm
Bureau, and a stockholder in and director of the Twin Town Cheese Factory.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 919-920.


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