Ole Thompson, 1850

Posted4U@Charter.net on Sat, 10 Feb 2001

Surname: THOMPSON, PETERSON, MATTHIAS, HIXON, WITHEE

Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

OLE THOMPSON, a successful farmer of Hoard Township, section 26, who was also one of the pioneer dairymen of this locality, was born in Norway, Sept. 8, 1850, son of Tory and Kjersta Thompson. The father, who never came to America, died in 1853, his wife dying in 1886. They had eight children: Ingeborg, who died in Norway; Kari, residing in Strum, Wis.; Klemmet and Ole, who are deceased; Thea, of Sparta, Wis.; Ole, subject of this sketch; Olof, deceased; and Jens, who is living in Norway. Ole Thompson came to the United States, settling at Neillsville, Clark County, Wis., where he obtained work at logging with Hixon & Withee, and was thus employed for seven years. He then homesteaded eighty acres of his present place, but did not begin actual farming until 1878. His first work was to build a log house, in which he lived for several years, in the meanwhile clearing his farm with oxen in pure pioneer style. He was one of the first to start in the dairy business and is now raising Holstein cattle, some being full-blooded, and having his own bull.

In 1896 Mr. Thompson built his present 14-room residence, having previously built two barns, one in 1890, measuring 80 by 44 feet, and the other in 1910, 92 by 76 feet. He is just completing a new modern house of ten rooms. Mr. Thompson the school board of District No. 2 for twenty-five years, and was assessor of Hoard Township seven years. He was one of the organizers of the State Bank of Curtis and, is now its president, and is a stockholder of the Owen State Bank, having formerly been one of its directors. He is a member and has been one of the trustees of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Since settling at his present location he has received his mail from Colby, Dorchester, Abbotsford, Green Grove and Curtis, the last mentioned place being his present post office. In June, 1878, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Annie Thompson, a native of Norway, who came to this country in 1878.

He and his wife are the parents of nine children: Christina, Gunda, Theodore, Oscar, Thea, Ida, Carl, Anna and Arthur. Christina, who is now Mrs. Frank Matthias of Hoard Township, has four children, Harold, Norman, Franklin and Carl. Gunda, wife of Dr. J. E. Simpson, first lieutenant in the medical department of the U. S. service, has three children, Gladys, John and Dorothy. Theodore, who is residing on the old home farm, has served as town chairman of Hoard Township. Oscar is a national bank examiner in California. Thea is a school teacher at Eveleth, Minn. Ida, who was a teacher, is now Mrs. William Peterson of Hoard Township. Carl is now serving as second lieutenant with the U. S. forces in France. Anna keeps house for her father and was formerly a teacher, and Arthur is also residing on the home farm.
Mrs. Ole Thompson died Oct. 29, 1917.