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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties,
Michigan: containing biographical sketches of prominent and
representative citizens and of the presidents of the United States.
Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1893

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Page 344

JOHN A. THOMPSON.  Among the citizens of Muskegon County who have made a
success of their agricultural enterprises, may be mentioned the name of Mr.
Thompson, who conducts farming upon an extensive scale in Ravenna Township.
He was born in this township June 16, 1841, and is the son of John and Ann
(Hughes) Thompson, natives of Scotland, who were there born and reared.
His father emigrated to America at the age of thirty years, preceding his
family, and after landing came West to Illinois, where he worked as a
laborer for a period of one and one-half years.

Having accumulated a sufficient sum of money to pay the passage of his
family to America, Mr. Thompson, Sr., wrote them to come, and upon their
arrival he settled in Ravenna, Muskegon County, Mich., where he operated as
a renter and engaged in farming pursuits.  Later he purchased a farm, which
he cultivated until his death, in 1873.  He and his wife were the parents
of nine children, of whom four are now living, our subject being the eldest
of the surviving members of the family.  He acquired his education in the
schools of Ravenna Township, and during his vacations worked on the home
farm.

At the age of twenty Mr. Thompson began to be self-supporting, and has
since conducted farming operations in this township, where he owns two
hundred and sixty acres of arable land.  On New Year's Day, 1874, he was
united in marriage with Miss Mary Anderson, who was born in Ohio, being

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Page 345

the daughter of Charles and Sarah (Shaffer) Anderson, born in Ohio and
Pennsylvania, repectively.  Mrs. Thompson is a lady well fitted to assist
her husband in all his enterprises, and not a little of the success he has
attained may be attributed to her cheeful counsel and co-operation.  They
have been the parents of seven children, but have been called upon to part
with three of their little ones.  The surviving members of the family are
May, Jessie, Clyde and Ethel, all of whom reside with thier parents.

In regard to social connections, Mr. Thompson is identified with Hancock
Tent, K. O. T. M., and Ravenna Lodge No. 355, I. O. O. F.  He has
represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge, and has been an incumbent of all
the chairs of the order.  He and his wife also belong to the Rebekah Lodge,
I. O. O. F.  In political relations, Mr. Thompson has always been a firm
advocate of the principles of the Republican party, to the support of which
his influence is invariably given.  He has served as Highway Commissioner,
and has represented the township upon the County Board of Supervisors,
being a member of the Committee on Equalization while filling the later
position.

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