ANSON THOMPSON, County Clerk, Petersburg; son of James H. and Sarah (Brown) Thompson, who are of English origin, and came to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1835, and after a time removed to Cass Co., where Anson was born, November 6, 1844. They removed to Menard Co. in 1846, where they passed the remainder of their days. She died Nov. 20, 1862, leaving a family of seven children, and he died April 4, 1878. They were beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew them. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm, and his early education obtained at district school, after which he attended Illinois College at Jacksonville. In 1863, he entered Michigan University, where he completed a fine business education, and returned to Petersburg and entered the store of Brahm & Lansing as clerk; he continued there till 1873, when he was elected County Clerk, and re-elected in 1877.