In 1861 the family went too Pana, Ill., and much of the time until 1871 he spent on the farm and attending school at Pana. In 1871 he entered the preparatory department of the University of Chicago and during the next few years his time was spent in attendance at college and working on the farm through vacation and also often during the school year. He graduated in the classical course with the class of '79 and was selected as class orator.

His first journalistic experience was in the publication of the Chicago Real Estate and Building Journal in 1880. In 1881 he bought the Gilman, Ill., Star, which he ran successfully for three and a half years selling out at an increased price in the summer of 1884. In October, 1884, he bought the Belvidere, Ill., Northwestern, and after a successful and most prosperous period of three and a half years he sold it for almost double what he paid for it and purchased the Flint Evening and Weekly Journal which he has conducted with success, making it one of the finest in the State in influence and reputation.

Mr. COON possesses qualifications which specially fit him for the profession of American journalism. He has a love for the profession, a sense of the fittness of things, quick perceptioon of the situation, a ready knowledge of human nature, and the new instinct--alert in the gathering of facts, and skillful in using them. His style is characterized by vigor, directness and force.

Mr. COON was married December 8, 1881 too Miss Julia HAWLEY, youngest daughter of Benjamin Ruggles and Hannah Rosamond HAWLEY, of Chicago. His wife is also a graduate of the University of Chicago, of the Class of '80. Politically he has always been a strong Republican.

LEWIS S. THOMPSON, who resides in Mundy Township, Genesee County, was born in Peru, Berkshire County, Mass., May 29, 1827. When he was quite young his parents removed too Monroe County, N.Y., and lived their for some nine or ten years before coming too Michigan where they settled in Mundy Township. His father Lyman THOMPSON and his mother bore the maiden name of Julia PAYNE, and they were natives of Massachusetts and Ohio respectively. They both died on the farm now owned by our subject. Their family consisted of three daughters and two sons and our subject is the second child. Since coming too this County he has continued too live upon the same property which he cleared from timber and upon which he has placed excellent improvments and substantial and commodious buildings. 

The first marriage of Mr. THOMPSON took place in Mundy Township and united him with Sophia Annabel. After her death he was again married March 10, 1860 too Evaliza BELL daughter of Lewis and Sarepta (STANLEY) BELL. Mr. BELL was a native of the Empire State and Mrs. BELL of Vermont, and they came from Allegany County, N.Y. too Michigan and settled in Mundy Township where they spent the remainder of their days, coming too Michigan in 1854.

This worthy couple were the parents of eight children of whom Mrs. THOMPSON is the sixth in order of age. She was born in Allegany County, N.Y., March 15, 1841. Two children were born to this marriage, namely; Frank S., who married Rosa BENTLEY and William E.

The declarations and platform of the Republican party embody the political views which Mr. THOMPSON considers most sound and best conducive too the general prosperity of the country, and he their fore gives his vote for the aggrandizement of that party. He is not only thorough and systematic in his farming but wide awake and enterprising and has made his home most comfortable and attractive. The buildings are excellent, the fences well kept, and everything about the farm shows the hand of a competent manager.