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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
FRANCIS THOMPSON, now residing in Montgomery County, Iowa, was formerly a well-known citizen of Oskaloosa. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lawrence County, Aug. 2, 1814. His father, George Thompson, and his mother, Mary (Scott) Thompson, were both natives of the same State, where they lived and died. Francis remained at home upon his father's farm until fourteen years of age, when he commenced learning the tailor's trade, in which occupation he continued for about ten years, when, finding it did not agree with him, abandoned it and learned the trade of a carpenter. On the 29th day of March, 1837, Mr. Thompson married Rebecca Wallace, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Taylor) Wallace. She was a native of Pennsylvania, as were also her parents, who continued to reside there till their death. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson five children were born: Mary, the eldest, died in infancy; Harriet J., in April, 1861, married F. Ellis, who died in March, 1867, at Oskaloosa; Mrs. Ellis subsequently married, and is now the wife of Samuel Knowlton, of Union Township; Mary P., the third child, died in infancy; Martha E. married Rev. R. B. Farrar, of Montezuma, Iowa; Delia E. married E. McMullin, of Villisca, Iowa. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Thompson moved with his family to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where for many years he followed his trade of carpenter and builder, erecting in that city some of its best houses, including those of the late Hon. M. E. Cutts, Judge Seevers and others. He has been a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, and for more than forty years a Ruling Elder in the churches with which he was connected. In 1878 he engaged as colporteur for the Presbyterian Board of Publications, and continued to act as such until 1884, or until he was threescore and ten years of age, when he retired front active work. He now makes his home with his daughter at Villisca, Iowa. There never was a more honest, upright man than Elder Thompson, and no man ever enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow-men to a greater degree. Politically he is a Republican, while a strong Prohibitionist.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy