Herbert Ellis Thomson. The incumbent of the office of postmaster of Wagoner since his appointment, April 1, 1915, Herbert Ellis Thomson has proved during the comparatively short period of his official service a thoroughly capable, energetic and faithful public servant. His long and active career has embraced a number of activities, in which he has displayed the possession of versatile talents, and the benefit of his experience is being given unreservedly to his office and to the good of the service.

Mr. Thomson was born in Navarro County, Texas, May 14, 1860, and is a son of James R. and Lucebra (Edwards) Thomson. .His parents, Kentuckians by birth, removed to Texas about the year 1858 and James R. Thomson was engaged in merchandising at Brenham for several years. He then disposed of his mercantile interests to adopt the vocation of traveling salesman, but gave up that occupation to establish himself in business again, this time as the proprietor of a hotel at Brenham. At the recommendation of his son-in-law, Thomas C. Harrill, Mr. Thomson brought his family from Texas to Oklahoma in 1894, and took up his residence at Wagoner, where he passed the remaining years of Ms active life. Mr. Thomson entered a company of Texas volunteers at the outbreak of the war between the states, for service in the Confederate army, and through conspicuous gallantry was successively promoted from private to the rank of captain. Both in Texas and Oklahoma he was held in high esteem as a man of integrity and a citizen of much public spirit.

Herbert Ellis Thomson was reared at Brenham, where he received a public school education, and at the age of nineteen years engaged in railroading, a vocation which attracts many young men, but in which few remain as long as did Mr. Thomson. For a quarter of a century he continued to be identified with this business at various points in Texas, rising from shipping clerk to the position of station agent, a capacity in which he acted for many years. In 1905 he gave up railroading, and in 1898 came to Oklahoma and established his home at Wagoner, where he has since continued to reside. On his arrival he became the proprietor of a hay and grain business, and later associated himself with others in the feeding of cattle, and continued to be occupied in this way until receiving the appointment as postmaster of Wagoner, the duties of which position he assumed April 1, 1915. Mr. Thomson has always been a stanch democrat in his political views and an active and influential worker during campaigns. In his present capacity he is courteous and affable in his dealings with the people, an able administrator of the affairs of the postoffice. and a helpful factor in advancing the efficiency of the mail service.

Mr. Thomson was married in 1887, to Miss Nena I. Chaplin, of Brenham. Texas, and to this union there have been born two daughters and four sons.