My Genealogy Hound

Lewis Henry Thompson, proprietor of the livery and feed stable of Rolla, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1842, and is the son of Platt and Harriet (White) Thompson. The father was born in Connecticut in 1813, was a farmer by occupation, was married in Dutchess County, N. Y., and in 1856 he moved to Kalamazoo County, Mich. He died in 1883. The mother was born in 1817 in New York, and is yet living. Of the two children born to their union Lewis Henry Thompson was the elder. George F. is engaged in farming four miles from Rolla. Lewis H. was educated in the common schools of New York State and Michigan. At the age of fifteen he commenced book-keeping in Kalamazoo, Mich., and there continued ten years. He was quartermaster clerk in the army in 1864 and 1865, and also spent one year at Jefferson Barracks. He then spent a year on the plains on an expedition against the Indians. During the year 1866 he kept books at Little Rock, Ark., and in 1867 he became a citizen of Rolla, where he established a livery and feed stable, continuing ever since in the business. He first started on a very small scale, had only one horse, and the first man he hired it to never returned it, and he was compelled to start anew. His first experience did not prevent him from buying other horses and starting out again. From that time until the present he has gradually been increasing his business, until at the present date he has the best livery and feed stable in South Central Missouri. In 1877 he erected his present barn, which is 57x80 feet, and stables seventy-five horses. At present Mr. Thompson has twenty horses, twenty vehicles, a hearse, and everything pertaining to a first-class stable. This is the only stable in Rolla. Mr. Thompson is a perfect gentleman, and is respected by all. He has never married, and his mother keeps house for him. He is a Republican in politics, and was a member of the city council of Rolla one term. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Presbyterian Church.