THOMPSON, John W. - b. November 4, 1831 - d. December 21, 1911

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Howard Courant
January 4, 1912

J. W. Thompson Dead

An Old and Respected Citizen Called Home- Prominent in Life of Community

From the Grenola Leader:

John W. Thompson was born November 4, 1831 in Tuscarawas county, Ohio and died at his home in Grenola, Kanss, Thursday, December 21, 1911 at the age of 80 years, 1 month and 7 days.

In 1856 he met and married Jane Mary Sharp at Patriot, Gallia county, Ohio and moved to Iowa. To this union, were born seven children of whom are living.

In 1871 he was married to Georgia Ann Dunkin at Winterset, Iowa. To this union were born three children of whom two are living.  In 1873 the family moved to Kansas and settled on the home place south of Grenola.

In 1883 he married Mrs. Emma Clark at Grenola, Kansas.  To this union one child was born.

Mr. Thompson has held many offices of public trust, four years of which was as treasurer of Elk County from 1892 to 1896, which shows the high esteem in which he was held by his neighbors.

In his 20th year he was lead into the Christian light during a Methodist revival in Jefferson county, Ohio and for over 60 years has been serving in King Emmanuel's army. He has continually held the office of trustee of the M. E. Church in Grenola since 1881.

The church loses a faithful member of whom it can be truly said he was a pillar in the house of the Lord.

He leaves a widow, 7 children, many other relatives and a host of friends to mourn his loss.

The legacy he leaves to the world is in his children, upon whom he prayed that his spirit might descend in double portion.

A life like his makes the world better, and wise are those who take up the mantle he has let fall.

Calmly, trustfully and in perfect peace he met death and as the family stood about his bedside they felt to say, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."  Rev. 14: 13.   The funeral services were held at the M. E. church in Grenola, Kansas at 2 p.m. Friday, December 22, conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. W. Todd and was largely attended by friends and neighbors.  The interment was made in Green Lawn cemetery.  The floral offerings were beautiful. The sons asted as pallbearers.

[genealogynut]

Whew!   This guy was rather busy!!  Can you just imagine......11 kids in the house? I hadn't better say anymore.