Biographical Sketches
CALVIN THOMPSON
Deceased. On a farm in Section 36, 1 ½ miles West of Independence, Blue township, Jackson county, Missouri, once dwelt the late Calvin Thompson of this place.
He was born in Campbell county, Virginia, August 20, 1818. Mr. Thompson received his education at the New London (Campbell county) Academy. On finishing school, he worked as a clerk in a store for 5 years, by which he had become thoroughly acquainted with every department of mercantile business. Later he removed to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he carried on a store by himself for some time. The work, however, was very confining and trying to his health. Anxious to try his hand at a new venture, he disposed of his store and in 1848 removed to Carroll county, near Miles' Point, Missouri, where he engaged in the stock trade with great success until 1866, when he again opened a grocery store in Independence and continued thus for 11 years, after which he again sold out and bought a farm of 150 acres 1 ½ miles east of Independence. He was a natural farmer, and under his personal supervision the place soon gave token of superior management and yielded enormous crops. When the land boom struck the place about 1886 he sold the farm for $175 per acre. It was at once divided up into building lots and given the name of East Independence. The boom was ephemeral, however, and the place never grew to any size. Our subject then built a residence in Independence, where he passed the rest of his days.
Mr. Thompson was married in 1846 to Miss Catharine L. Gwatkin, of Campbell county, Virginia. Four children were born to them, the 2 eldest of whom died in infancy. Charles A., the 3rd child, is now a prosperous farmer in Jackson county, Missouri, and David L., the youngest, now resides on his farm 3 miles from Blue Springs. Mrs. Thompson died in 1883, and our subject in 1894, at the age of 76 years.
Mr. Thompson was a very peaceable man and had a great antipathy to going to law. If he could not settle a matter mostly by arbitration he would make concessions greatly to his disadvantage rather than take it into the courts. during his lifetime he amassed a handsome property, mostly in land, which is now in the possession of his 2 surviving sons.
David Leslie Thompson, youngest son of Calvin Thompson, was born April 17, 1849, at Miles' Point, Carroll county, Missouri. When still a young lad his parents removed to Independence, Missouri, where he attended school. At what is now Woodland College, his preceptor was Professor George S. Bryant.
March 22, 1877, Mr. Thompson was married, in Independence, to Miss Mary Alice Hymes, daughter of George and Martha (Badgley) Hymes, both natives of Fulton county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hymes was a farmer there, and in 1869 came to Independence, Missouri. He died February 10, 1891, aged 79 years. He served 18 months in the rebellion, belonging to Company G., 186th volunteer infantry, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Thompson was the only daughter and was also born in Pennsylvania.
After his marriage Mr. Thompson removed to his present farm, which his father had purchased the year previous. It is located 3 miles NW of Blue Springs, near Independence, and contains 100 acres of improved land in a high state of cultivation. His residence, of brick, is an ideal country house and is surrounded by spacious, well-kept grounds, which add greatly to the beauty of the place. (A view of this residence is given in this work) His out-building are all in good condition, denoting thrift and careful management. In 1895 he erected a tenant house on the place, which greatly lightens his expenses as well as adds to the convenience and comfort of his farm labor.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had 4 children: Calvin Leslie, who died when 17 months old; Virgie M. C Thompson, now a young miss of 16 years, is at school; Archibald Arthur, a bright lad of 12 years; and Davie Crockett, the pet of the household, who has just reached his 7th year.
Charles A. Thompson, brother of our subject, married Kate Deardorff, a daughter of D. J. and Elizabeth Deardorff, of Sniabar township, Jackson county. They have had 4 children, one of whom died in infancy. The living are Pearl, Calvin and Frank.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.