My Genealogy Hound

James H. Thompson, an old and prominent citizen of Knox County, is a native of Mason County, Ky., and was born March 11, 1813, and is a son of Archibald and Margaret (Blair) Thompson. The father was born near Londonderry County, Ireland, and died in Brown County, Ohio, in 1852, at the age of seventy-five. He came to America before the war of 1812, with his parents, and settled in Westmoreland County, Penn. He served during the above mentioned war, and when a young man went to Mason County, Ky., where he was married, and remained in that State until 1822, when he removed to Brown County, Ohio. He was a stone mason and plasterer by trade. The Blair family came from Scotland before the Revolutionary war, and located in Pennsylvania. Our subject’s grandfather served in the war, and was at the battles of Bunker Hill and Brandywine. Margaret Blair was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., and died in Brown County, Ohio, about 1840. Our subject had a sister Eleanor, who is now dead. He was educated in Kentucky and Ohio, and at an early date began the life of a farmer. In 1864 he moved from Ohio to Knox County, Mo., where he purchased the land he now owns, consisting of 400 acres of finely improved land, upon which is a handsome residence and large barns. During the late war he volunteered in the Union service, but on account of age was allowed to serve only as a recruiting officer. In 1863 he accompanied the army to Mississippi, and was near when the battle of Holly Springs was fought. In 1836 he was united in marriage to Susan Pickering, a daughter of Henry Pickering, a soldier in the war of 1812. This lady was born December 5, 1814, in Brown County, Ohio, and to her nine children have been born: Eleanor, Margaret J., Lyman V., Joseph H., William M., Mary E., James S., John F. and Jessie. Of these but three are living. William M. died from exposure during the siege of Vicksburg. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but were formerly united with the Christian Church. They are both highly respected citizens, and have won the esteem of the entire community. Mr. Thompson was a Democrat until the nomination of Buchanan, but has since supported the Republican party, and was the first man in Brown County, Ohio, who named Abraham Lincoln’s name for President. He is a public-spirited man, and donates liberally to public enterprises.