This is an ever growing list of Union County Biographies. If there is just the page listed it is one that I have transcribed. Otherwise, it will have the name of the person who donated the biographies. If you have any biographies you can donate, please drop a line to Janine M. Bork.Your information can help others.

OWEN THOMPSON. - Although the subject of this article is one of the younger men of Union county, still he has already achieved a success that is quite enviable, and his efforts as well as his superior qualities entitle him to representation in this volume of his county's chronicles, and it is with pleasure that we accord him space here for an epitome of his life's career.

Owen was born in Champaign county, Illinois, on Decmeber 20, 1871, being the son of Andy and Jermina (Myers) Thompson. His boyhood days were spent in the pursuit of knowledge and in acquiring from a wise father good training to fit hom for the battles of life's arena. When he had reached his majority, he stepped from the parental roof and commenced action for himself, farming on Cricket flat for six years. In 1897 he took charge of his father's farm, four and one-half miles east from Elgin, where he has remained since. He is occupied with raising stock and general farming and has achieved a success that is commendable and gratifying.

On February 28, 1897, Mr. Thompson amrried Miss Carrie, daughter of Josiah and Belle (Gladen) Crawford, natives of Illinois. Two children have come to bless the home: Hazel, born August 24, 1898, and died February 13, 1901; Orval, born June 25, 1801. Mrs. son (Thompson) was born in Polk county, Missouri, on October 30,1880. Her mother is living with the second husband in Elgin, Mrs. Crawford dying in 1890 and being buried on Cricket flat. Our subject enjoys the good will and esteem of all his fellows and he is one of the progressive men of the county and takes the part of the intelligent citizen in the affairs of politics, as well as in all things that are for the advancement of the county's interests.

SAMUEL S. THOMPSON. - Among the agriculturists of Union county who are noted for their progressiveness and enterprise there must not be failure to mention the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who has demonstrated in actual work his ability and his power to win from the resources of this county a financial success that is both gratifying and acceptable, while he has always demeaned himself in such a commendable manner that he has won the encomiums of his fellows and the good will of all.

Samuel S. was born in Clinton county, New York, on November 11, 1857, to William and Mary (Alford) Thompson, natives, respectively, of Ireland and Virginia, but farmers in New York at the time of this happy event. The parents remained in New York and Illinois until the time of the death of the father, which occurred in the former state in 1882. The mother is now living with our subject, in his comfortable home, three miles east from Elgin, and enjoys the best of health and is active. At nineteen years of age our subject set out on the sea of life for himself and farmed for four years in Illinois, then in 1883, came west to Oregon, settling near Pine Grove on a pre-emption, where he raised stock and did general farming for four years, when he sold that place and bought near where he now lives, owning in this locality four hundred and forty acres of fine farm land, well improved and provided with a comfortable dwelling and all the needed buildings for proper handling of the land. Mr. Thompson devotes considerable attention to raising stock and in his labors in this county he has gained a success that is gratifying and brilliant.

In Kendall county, Illinois, Mr. Thompson married Miss Ella, daughter of William and Jane (Alford) Hartley, natives, respectively of Ohio and Illinois, and farmers of Illinois. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born eight children. William Jay, deceased: Stella: Bertha, deceased: Clark, deceased: Earl, Ava, Kirk and Blanche. Those deceased are buried in the cemetery near the farm known as the Highland. Mr. Thompson affiliates with the K. of P. Orion Lodge, No. 73. Mr. Thompson is one of the influential men of this section, and has always manifested a broad public spirit and a deep interest in the welfare of the county's affairs, while he has taken the part of the intelligent and patriotic citizen in political matters. He is favored with the good will and esteem of all who are acquainted with him and is justly entitled to this because of the stanch qualities of his character.