ALFRED M. THOMPSON, a farmer and stock raiser of township 17 north, range 11 west, section 36, Virginia post office, was born on the farm where he now lives, February 27, 1850. His parents were Oswell and Elizabeth (Henderson) Thompson. Both were born near Chillicothe, Ohio, the father in 1806, and the mother September 22, 1813. They came to Illinois with their parents in the same year, 1827. The father's parents located on the farm which Alfred now owns, and the mother's people located near Arcadia, Illinois. They were married here, in 1829. They had eight children: Ada, wife of I. J. Swibling, a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser near Ashland, Illinois; Mrs. Mary J. Black, the eldest, resides in Virginia; she has been married twice, her first husband being Mace Skiles; W. Howard resides in Jacksonville, Illinois, and runs a feed and sale stable; he also owns a fine tract of land near that of the subject; Sarah Ellen married Jacob Epler, who died soon after, and she married Mr. Andrew App; her home is now at Seattle, Washington, where she married her second husband; she is now in Europe; Alfred; David; Albert and Abigail; the two latter deceased, the former in childhood, the latter in middle life, leaving a family. The youngest of the family is the first child mentioned, Ada.
Alfred was reared and educated in his native county, and at the State Normal School, which he attended two years. He returned home and resumed farming.
He was married in this county, September 10, 1872, to Meranda L. Payne, daughter of W. B. and Esther (Stevenson) Payne, natives of Kentucky, where Mrs. Thompson was born June 25, 1854. They have had five children: Howard, born in 1876, died in 1883, from scarlet fever; David, born in 1878, at home; Nellie died at the age of three months; Edith, born in 1881, at home; Everett, born in North Dakota, and died in infancy.
In the spring of 1883, Mr. Thompson leased his farm and went to Bismarck, North Dakota, for the purpose of recuperating his health. There he remained seven years, returning in a greatly improved condition. He again took possession of the farm upon which he was born, and still operates it with hired assistance. He owns a fine farm of part timber and part prairie, upon which he has made many improvements. He lives in the house in which he was born, which is in a good condition and is a building that does credit to the neighborhood.
Mr. Thompson is a Democrat in politics, and has been School Director and Road Commissioner. Served one year as County Assessor of Burley county, North Dakota, resigning that office when he decided to return to Illinois, two years ago. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he takes a deep interest, and also in the Sunday school work, and he subscribes liberally to the support of the same.
The Thompson family were among the first settlers in the county. Few indeed can go back as they, in their residence here. The family were of German origin, though long since established in America.
Mr. Thompson owns 800 acres of land in Burley, North Dakota, which he rents, has 320 acres of wheat on it this year (1892), he furnishing the seed and receiving one-half of the threshed grain.