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JAMES M. THOMPSON, late of Garrison, passed away July 26, 1908. Mr. Thompson was born January 1, 1841, at Dover, New Hampshire, and resided at his native place until he had nearly reached manhood, when he removed, in 1858, to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he taught school several years. In 1861 Mr. Thompson settled in section 32, Big Grove township, Benton county, where he followed farming with success, also owned and operated threshing machines many years. He had retired and lived at Garrison for some twelve years before his decease. He was given the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, and stood well with his fellow-citizens. He was a keen and enterprising man of business, and paid close attention to his interests. Politically he was a stanch Republican. Mr. Thompson was a member of tho Friends' church, as is also his widow, who survives him. He was a man of strong character, unfailing in the performance of his duties, and took a commendable interest in local public affairs. He had been a resident of Benton county many years, and was widely known.
James M. Thompson was a son of William and Louisa (Meader) Thompson, who lived in Muscatine county, Iowa, where William Thompson died; his widow later removed to Indiana, and after the death of her second husband she returned to Iowa and spent her declining years in Benton county.
Mr. Thompson married, in 1863, Hannah Merchant, who survives him. She was born in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1844, and is a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Davis) Merchant, who came to Benton county, in 1859, and resided in Big Grove township, where they lived until their deaths. Nathan Merchant has been dead many years. They were farmers. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, namely: Frank L., stock farmer, thresher and business man, living in Big Grove township, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Edward C., also mentioned elsewhere in this work; Alva M., a farmer of Big Grove township; Elmer, of Waterloo, Iowa; and Charles, who died in childhood.
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