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| Norman Eugene Thompson (Source: original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
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| Julia Bennet Stetson Thompson and Norman E. Thompson (Source: original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
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| Norman Eugene Thompson (Source: original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
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| Norman E. Thompson and Julie Stetson Thompson house in Somers, Wisconsin This house is located on Highway E, north side of the road, two houses west of Neumiller Park (Source: original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
N.E. (Norman E.) Thompson
N.E. Thompson, Station Agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Somers, Kenosha County, has been connected with that road since 1875 and since 1877 has been its representative here. He owns land in the county and has been called to public office a number of times, his fellow citizens thus expressing their confidence in his ability and public spirit.He was born in Paynes Point, Ogle County, Illinois, on the 24th of October, 1857, and is a son of John and Sarah (Hardy) Thompson, both of whom were natives of Canada but who passed their later years in Paynes Point where they died and were buried. Although his parents were born in Canada, previous generations of the family lived in the United States, and his great-great-grandmother was the first white child born in Stafford, Connecticut.
N.E. Thompson was reared under the parental roof and until fifteen years of age attended the common schools, thus acquiring his early education. Later he was for two years a student in the Mount Morrie Seminary and after leaving that institution he learned telegraphy and entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. For two years he has located at Deerfield, Illinois, but on the 1st of January, 1877, was transferred to Somers, Wisconsin, where he has since remained as Station Agent. He is accurate and systematic in his work, carefully safeguards the interests of the company and at the same time seeks to accommodate the patrons of the road. He holds title to one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Somers township and also to a comfortable residence in the town of Somers, and his success is doubly creditable in that it is the direct result of his own energy and good management.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage in 1886 to Miss Julia B. Stetson, a daughter of William R. Stetson of Somers Township, and they have two sons: William and Harry, who are operating the old Stetson homestead now owned by our subject. The latter married Edna Barrows and they have two daughters, Harriet and Ruth. William graduated from the University of Wisconsin with the Class of 1911 and Harry is an alumnus of the Racine High school and the Trenary Business College of Kenosha.
Mr. Thompson believes in the politics of the Republican party. For nineteen years he held the office of Post Master at Somers; for twelve years was Justice of he Peace; for six years was school district Clerk; and was also for some time a member of the School Board. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian and fraternally he is connected with the Masons at Kenosha, with the Knights of Pythias at Kenosha and with the Modern Woodmen of America at Somers, of which Camp he has been clerk for twenty years.
(Source: The City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Vol. II, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916).
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| 1927 partial map of Somers Township and the Thompson William (W.E.) and Harry (H.C.) parcels located on Highway E and Highway JR Thompson Apple Orchard Norman Eugene (N.E.) Thompson 123 acres are located across the street on the south side of Highway E The 51 acre parcel north of Highway is now University of Wisconsin Parkside. Children of Norman Eugene (N.E.) Thompson and Julia Bennet Stetson Thompson William Eugene Thompson, born August 13, 1886 in Somers, Wisconsin. He died December 30, 1962 in Somers, Wisconsin. William Eugene married Laura Jensen March 25, 1920. Children include Jean Elaine, born September 4, 1921in Chicago, Illinois; Charles William Thompson born December 11, 1922 in Kenosha, Wisconsin; Margaret Lucille Thompson born April 8, 1925 in Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Richard Lewis Charles Thompson born February 7, 1927 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Harry Charles Thompson, born July 18, 1890 in Somers, Wisconsin. He died September 13, 1964 in Somers, Wisconsin Harry Charles married Edna Barrow in 1910. Children include Harriet, Ruth Carolyn, Norman, and Mary Ellen.
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| John Thompson (Source: original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
John Thompson, father of Norman E. Thompson
John Thompson was born in Hamilton Township, Northumberland Co., Canada West, October 12, 1833. His mother died when he was only six months old. He lived in Canada until twenty-one years of age, when he and his father removed to Ogle Co., Illinois, and purchased a farm. He lived in Ogle County until September 1862, when he enlisted in the 8th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. He served through the War. In 1863 he was out with a scouting party, and was severely wounded by his horse falling down a stone quarry and falling upon him. He received his discharge in St. Louis in August, 1865. He participated in many hard fought battles, his company or regiment being a part of the arm of the Potomac. Among the hardest battles were: Williamstown, seven days fight on the peninsula, Battle of the Wilderness, Antietam, Gettysburg, Manassas, second battle of Bull Run, and Beverly Ford, a strictly cavalry battle, which lasted one whole day. He return to Ogle County after the War, and followed farming. In 1867 he helped get up a map of Ogle County. In April 1876 he came to Iowa located in Algona, this county. Before coming west, however, he had traded some property for 240 acres of land in this county, 160 acres in Wesley township, and 80 acres in Lott's Creek Township. In 1878 he removed from Algona to the village of Wesley and engaged in carpenter work. Mr. Thompson has been married three times. In 1854 he was married to Sarah M. Hardy of Canada. They had four children - Teresa J., Norman E., Everett W. and Charles W. After she died he was again married, but his second wife died in the summer of 1875, and was buried in Byron, Ogle Co., Illinois. In 1876 he was married to Mrs. Mary (Clemens) Artz of Ogle Co., Illinois. Mrs. Thompson had two children by her first husband - Ozzy and Ella. Mr. Thompson is a Republican. He owns a nice residence property, also a good carpenter ship, which, by the way, is the building erected by Comstock & Baker, and the first one built in Wesley village.
(Source: History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago Counties, Iowa, page 547(1884)
Children of John and Sarah Hardy Thompson
Teresa Josephine was born October 10, 1855 in Cold Springs, Ont.
Norman Eugene was born October 24, 1857 in Paynes Point, IL
William Everett was born in 1860 in Paynes Point, IL
Charles Winfield was born June 4, 1869 in Paynes Point, IL
Memories
"My grandmother Sarah died in 1874 at age 38 and is buried in Paynes Point, Illinois. John Thompson lived another twenty-one years and died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 18, 1895. He is buried in the Old Soldier's Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. Grandfather John remarried soon after Sarah's death and moved with his family to Wesley, Iowa. Aunt Josie married Wm. P. Scoville on September 29, 1875 and lived near Byron and Paynes Point until her death on March 19, 1887. My father was very unhappy in Iowa and his sister took him in the Scoville home soon after she was married. He was there when Luella was born June 4, 1882 and Hiram was born Feb. 22, 1885. He was more of a big brother than an uncle to them although he was always "Uncle Charles". After Josie's death, he left to make his own way. Her other two brothers were sent from Iowa to live with various relations in the Chicago area according to letters written my Bill Thompson in 1961. Because of Daddy's close relationship with the Scoville's we have always maintained ties with them. We had cottages next to each other at Twin Lakes, Michigan for many years.
Uncle Gene (Norman) was instrumental in getting Charles a job with the railroad. Those passes were very convenient for the families. One of my earliest memories is a visit we made to Uncle Gene's and Aunt Julia's in Somers, Wisconsin. I was three years old and had never seen a pump at a kitchen sink. On another visit I tasted my first fresh asparagus served on toast with oodles of butter. Uncle Gene came to visit us quite often in Laurence, Michigan where I was born November 30, 1908. Uncle Will would come sometimes and stay a week or month or two. He married two or three times.
Norman, my brother, was born in 1897. I was 12 when he was born. He graduated from Michigan Tech as a mining engineer. His first job was with Republic State Corp in Bessemer, Ala. His various positions took him from assistant engineer at one of the mines to general superintendent of ore mine and furnaces in the entire Birmingham area. His only child, Eleanor Jean was born July 26, 1923, is married to Gerard E. Murray. Eleanor graduated from the University of Illinois. Norman and his wife Irene lived a very interesting life in many foreign countries after he resigned from Republic Steel, 1941 and then he worked at the AID State Department. He died of cancer February 18, 1961 in Washington, D.C. and is buried in Birmingham, Ala.
My mother Jennie Williams and father were married on Sept 30, 1896 in Thomaston, Michigan. Daddy had been the Station Agent at Sault St. Marie, Michigan and was transferred to Mestoria when they married. Nestoria, Michigan was then the junction for several railroads running from Duluth, Minnesota, to the "sauet" or the Chicago to Haughton and Calument, Michigan routes. After transfers to Marquette and Lauruim, Michigan, he decided in 1905 to leave the Rrand work for Marshall Wells Co. of Duluth, Minnesota as their western Upper Peninsula Michigan representative. He was a happy outgoing man with a hearty laugh and many friends. He died August 18, 1925 at the age of 56 after a two year battle with Bright's Disease. Norman's cancer started in the bladder. Grandfather John had bladder and color trouble according to his war records. I have had bladder complications with several operations in the last years.
I started Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin the fall of 1925 and Uncle Gene wrote to me quite regularly. I loved him dearly. I graduated in 1929 and then taught piano and organ. I was going to Europe to continue studying piano for a year after graduation. James Bryant Morgan and I were married December 26, 1932 I Birmingham, Alabama. We have three children.
(Source: Elizabeth Jean Thompson Morgan , daughter of Charles Winfield Thompson, from old letters and conversations with her father)
Norman E. Thompson Obituary
Death Claims N. Thompson, Station Agent. Resident at Somers Mourn Death of Outstanding Figure
"Residents in the village of Somers today mourned the death of Normal E. Thompson, outstanding figure in the civic, political, religious and educational affairs of his community since 1877. He succumbed at his home this morning, after being in ill health for the past two months.
Since 1877, Thompson has served as Station Agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company at Somers, and he was widely known throughout Kenosha and Racine counties.
Thompson served as Somers Postmaster for nearly 20 years, and was justice of the peace for 12 years, being a staunch Republican and notably active in political movements as well as church and athletic enterprises.
Normal E. Thompson was born in Paynes Point, Olge County, Illinois, October 24, 1857, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson. Following his education in the public schools there, he attended Mount Morris Seminary.
The deceased studied telegraphy and entered the employment of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway company in 1875, locating at Deerfield, Illinois. On January 1, 1877, he was transferred to Somers, where he has since remained as Station Agent. For nearly twenty years Thompson served as Postmaster, and he was the justice of the peace for twelve years, distinguished by the fact that many of his decisions were upheld by the higher court.
Thompson was frequently sent as a Republican delegate to Kenosha County and State conventions. He was also a member of the School Board in Somers for a score of years.
Thompson also played baseball many years with the Somers team and was always a chief booster for that organization.
The body is at the Hansen Funeral Home where it will remain until noon Sunday, when it will be taken to the congregational Church at somers to lie in state until the time of services at 2 o'clock.
The Rev. George C. Flett, and Rev. O.A. Johnson will officiate at the last rites, Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Somers."
(Source: Racine Journal December 2, 1932)
About William Eugene Thompson
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| (Source: Original courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
William E. and Laura Jensen Thompson children:
Jean E. Thompson, age 8 in 1930
Charles W. Thompson, age 7 in 1930
Margaret L. Thompson, age 4 in 1930
Richard L. Thompson, age 3 in 1930
(Source: 1930 U.S. Federal Census)
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| Laura Jensen Thompson, wife of William E. Thompson (N.E. Thompson, father in law) Oakwood Cemetery (Source: Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright October 2011) |
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| William E. Thompson, son of N.E. Thompson of Somers Oakwood Cemetery (Source: Photo by Jacqueline Klapproth Nelson. Copyright October 2011) |
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| William E. Thompson (Source: original photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
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| (Source: copy of article and original announcement courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) Click or double click on image for larger viewing. |
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| William and Laura Jensen Thompson 1930's sawing wood from wood lot for winter heat (Source: photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
Richard L. Thompson
son of William E. and Laura Jensen Thompson
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| Richard L. Thompson (Source: photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
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| (Source: original Kenosha News Sept. 4, 2011 obituary, clipping courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
Margaret Lucille Thompson
daughter of William E. and Laura Jensen Thompson
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| Margaret Lucille Thompson (Source: photo courtesy of Lynn Thompson Powell) |
Harry C. Thompson
Harry C. Thompson and Harriot J. Thompson children:
Ruth C. Thompson, age 14 in 1930
Norman W. Thompson, age 12 in 1930
Mary E. Thompson, age 6 in 1930
(Source: 1930 U.S. Federal Census)
Harry Charles Thompson is an enterprising young agriculturist of Kenosha County who for the past three years has been busily engaged in the cultivation of his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Section 12, Somers Township. he is a native son of the county, having been born in the Town of Somers on the 18th of July. 1890, of the marriage of N.E. and Julia (Stetson) Thompson.
Harry Charles Thompson supplemented his early education, obtained in the common schools, by a high school course at Racine and subsequently attended a business college in Kenosha. After putting aside his textbooks he entered the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, being for four years employed as telegrapher at Somers and other points. Three years ago, however, he located on his father's farm on Section 12, Somers Township, and has since devoted his time and energies to its cultivation, his well directed labors being attended with most gratifying results.
On the 18th of December, 1913, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Edna Barrows, her father being J.J. Barrows, the first settler of Berryville, this county. They now have two children, Harriet Julia and Ruth Caroline.
Mr. Thompson is a Republican in his political views. At present he is ably discharging the duties of Somers Town Treasurer. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Somers and is fraternally identified with the Woodmen at that place.
(Source: The City and County of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Vol. II, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1916).
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