PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF OKLAHOMA 1901

Biographies on this page:
Ahlstrom, P. M.
Bear, George W.
Brownlee, Emory D.
Dinkler, Frank
Gant, Reuben
Havard, William T.
States, Benton
Thomson, William

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P. M. AHLSTROM.
Sweden has furnished to the United States multitudes of our best citizens, and, with few exceptions, they are loyal to the institutions of their adopted country, and in every possible manner carry forward the grand march of progress and civilization. P. M. Ahlstrom, manager of the Canadian County Milling and Elevator Company, at Hennessey, is a worthy and honored citizen of this place, and is entitled to representation in the history of this thriving community.

His father, John, and grandfather, Jonas Ahlstrom, were extensive land-owners in the vicinity of Laholm, Halland, Sweden, the former owning and cultivating several farms. Our subject's mother, Ingre L., was the daughter of Peter Peterson, who also was a farmer by occupation. John Ahlstrom departed this life when he was in his prime, and his widow is still living upon the old homestead in Sweden, their only daughter residing with her. Two of the children of John Ahlstrom and wife are deceased, and the two sons who survive are in the United States, August being a resident of Omaha, Neb., where he deals in mantels and tiling. P. M. Ahlstrom was born near Laholm, Halland, Sweden, June 8, 1866, and was reared in the quiet pursuits of rural life. He obtained a general education in the public schools, and at fourteen embarked in the business world. He was employed at merchandising at Engleholm, Skane, for six years, and then determined to try his fortune in America. Bidding farewell to the scenes and friends of his youth, he sailed from his native land to Glasgow, Scotland, and there took passage on a. vessel bound for New York. Proceeding to Stanton, Neb., the young man obtained a position on a farm, where he soon picked up a fair knowledge of the English language and customs. Soon he accepted a position as a clerk in a store at Stanton, and in the spring of 1893 came to Kingfisher, Okla. He was employed by J. N. Mills, a grain dealer, and continued with him for some time, assisting in the building of the Kingfisher elevator, later owned by the Cameron Mill and Elevator Company. He was the manager of that concern until in the spring of 1897 he came to Hennessey as the manager of the Canadian County Milling and Elevator Company. The elevator, which has a capacity of fifteen thousand bushels, is a well constructed, modern building, where a large share of the grain produced in this region is handled each season.

During the twelve years of his residence in the United States Mr. Ahlstrom has made many friends wherever he has lived, and all respect him for his upright; reliable qualities. He is a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Select Friends, and of the Knights of Pythias Benevolent Association. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and keeps thoroughly posted in the important questions of the day. Religiously he is a Lutheran, as his forefathers have been for generations.

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GEORGE W. BEAR.
Very few citizens of Hennessey have accomplished more for her permanent upbuilding than has the subject of this article, who, moreover, is known far and wide throughout Kingfisher county and adjoining territory on account of the material assistance he has been to the farming community. He has been a resident of this county since April 22, 1889, a�d has been actively associated with its development from its infancy. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of the general public and has an enviable reputation for integrity and fair dealing.

On both sides of the family George W. Bear comes of Pennsylvania stock, and his grandfathers, Samuel Bear and John Longenecker, were numbered among the agricultural class of that, their native state. Our subject's parents, Major John W. and Maty (Longenecker) Bear, were natives of Harrisburg and Carlisle, Pa., respectively. At an early period Major Bear settled in Decatur, Ill., of which city he served subsequently as the mayor. He also held other important public positions, being United States marshal, United States collector and sheriff of his county for some time. During the Civil war he was identified with an Illinois regiment, serving as captain of a company and later being promoted to the rank of major for meritorious service. He was celebrated as a mathematician and civil engineer, and from 1872 to 1890 was one of the leading citizens of Wichita, Kans., and for years acted in the capacity of city engineer of the place. In 1890 he removed to Los Angeles, where he is passing his declining years. He is a loved member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and kept a warm place in his heart for the boys who wore the blue in the years of strife.

George W. Bear was born in Decatur, Ill., February 22, 1859, next to the youngest of seven children, two of whom are deceased. His brother, Ben L., is a pharmacist of Phoenix, Ariz. When he was in his fourteenth year our subject removed with the family from Illinois to Wichita, where he grew to manhood. He attended the public schools until he was about sixteen, when he commenced learning the saddler's trade with McComb Brothers, of Wichita. Later he became a clerk in a drug store of that city of which place he was a resident until fifteen years ago. In 1885 he located in Argonia, Kans., and there was engaged in the drug business until Oklahoma was opened to settlement.

Making the run on that memorable spring day, Mr. Bear decided to make his home in Hennessey, and soon, commenced building a store, in which he conducted a drag business for a short time. He then embarked in the real estate and loan business, and at once found himself launched upon a tide which bore him to success. He has represented the Deming Investment Company and other eastern moneyed firms, and has made a specialty of loaning money on farms. That he has been extremely judicious in his dealings and has treated the people with scrupulous honor may be seen in the fact that, though he has loaned much more than $100,000 for the Deming Company within the past seven years, he has made no foreclosures on property and has had but one delinquent. He also represents ten of the old-line insurance companies, and for four-teen years has been a. notary public. During this period he has handled from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pension vouchers each quarter of the year, and never has neglected the least of his duties in this line, no matter how pressing his other business matters have been. He has devoted considerable attention to the improvement of city property, and personally has supervised the construction of the two-story brick Bear block and five modern residences, besides building twenty houses for the Aetna Building and Loan Association within the past year. Among his many other enterprises, he aided in the organization of the Citizens Bank, now known as the First National Bank of Hennessey, and from its inception has acted as one of its directors.

In political affairs Mr. Bear is a stanch Republican, and for one term served as city clerk in Hennessey. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Home Forum. Religiously he is a Congregationalist.

The pleasant home of Mr. Bear is presided over by his estimable wife, formerly Miss Kittie Fairchild. She is a native of Syracuse, N. Y., and was living in Wichita, Kans., at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bear are the parents of twin daughters, Bernice and Mildred.

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JUDGE EMORY D. BROWNLEE.
One of the youngest, if, indeed, he may not lay claim to being the youngest, register of land offices ever appointed in the United States, the subject of this article is especially deserving of notice in the annals of Oklahoma. Moreover, he is very popular in social circles, and, judging by whathe has accomplished within the past few years as a public official and business man, it is safe to predict for him a brilliant future.

As his surname indicates, Judge Brownlee is of Scotch extraction. His great-grandfather Brownlee died in Scotland just after selling his estate and after he had made all preparations to come to America. Knowing his wishes, his widow carried out the plans he had made, and with her seven sons crossed the Atlantic and settled in Ohio. One of the number, David Brownlee, grandfather of our subject, thus became one of the pioneers of the Buckeye state, he engaged in farming and spent his entire life in Ohio, his death occurring in Poland, Mahoning county.

The judge's parents, William R. and Mary E. (Cook) Brownlee, were natives of Coylesville and Poland, Ohio, respectively. The father was engaged in the practice of law for many years in Ohio, and for a period was editor of newspapers in Canfield and Chillicothe, Ohio. Subsequently he went to Anderson, Ind., where he likewise was engaged in.the practice of law and editorial work. In 1884 he removed to Kingman, Kans., and embarked in the cattle business. However, he was soon appointed by President Cleveland as register of the United States land office at Larned. He continued to serve in.that capacity until the day of Oklahoma's opening to settlement. Since that time he has been engaged in professional practice in Kingfisher. At the close of the Civil war he officiated as United States attorney in Virginia, under the appointment of General Grant. Though he has been a stanch Republican, the reason for his appointment as register of the land office at Larned is that he was a personal friend of Hendricks. He was also a schoolmate of President McKinley.

As previously stated, William R. Brownlee chose for a wife Miss Mary E. Cook, of Poland, Ohio. Her parents, Philo and Mary (Sanderson) Cook, were early settlers in the vicinity of Poland, and were there engaged in farming for many years. The father was born in Wallingford, Conn., and the mother was a native of Kendall, England. He died in early life, being survived by his widow, who attained the age of sixty-five yearn Five children were born to W. R. Brownlee and wife, and the number has not yet been invaded by death: One son, Richard G., js clerk of the district court of Dewey county, Okla. and also is the editor of the Taloga Times.

The birth of Emory D. Brownlee occurred in Canfield, Ohio, September 8, 1872. He received an excellent education in the public schools of Anderson, Ind,, and Larned, Kans. Subsequently he pursued a course of study in the Southwestern Kansas College, at Winfield, Kans., where he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. In the fall of 1893 he matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated two years later with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

A few days after Oklahoma was thrown open to settlement Mr. Brownlee arrived within its boundaries, and until the fall of 1893 made his home at Kingfisher. On the 16th of September, 1893, he made the race into the Cherokee strip, and succeeded in locating a quarter section of land in Garfield county, about twelve miles from Enid, and this claim is still in his possession. After his graduation he was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of his profession at Enid for four years. In the fall of 1897 he was appointed register of the United States land office at Kingfisher by President McKinley, and soon entered upon his arduous duties. His district embraces the counties of Kingfisher, Blaine, Dewey and Day, and portions of the counties of Logan, Oklahoma, Canadian, Custer and Rosier Mills. While a resident of Enid he served as the attorney of the Citizens Bank. He belongs to the Territorial Bar Association, and has taken a very active part in the movement relating to free homes and statehood for Oklahoma. He is president of the Territorial Republican Club of Oklahoma. While a resident of Enid he was identified with the Garfield County Republican central committee. He is interested in all organizations which tend toward the elevation of men, and for some years he has been a valued worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

December 5, 1900, Mr, Brownlee married Miss Mary E. Wilde, of Iowa.

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FRANK A. DINKLER,
who served in the responsible position of city treasurer of Hennessey for six years (from 1893 to 1899), is a successful business man and able financier. His standing in the commercial, political and fraternal circles of this city is of the best, and his friends are numerous, here and elsewhere.

Mr. Dinkler is a worthy representative of a family which traces its line back four hundred years in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. His great-great-grandfather, his great-grandfather, George Adam Dinkler, and his grandfather, Adam Dinkler, were proprietors of extensive landed estates, and were correspondingly looked up to and wielded considerable authority. Our subject's father, Joseph Dinkler, was born in the same German state sixty-four years ago, and when twenty years of age he came to the United States. For a short time he was employed in a glass factory near Pittsburg, after which he located in Churchtown, a place situated seven miles from Marietta, Ohio, and there he conducted a mercantile business until 1877. That year he removed with his family to Brookville, Kans., and soon became one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of that section. In 1893 he located a claim in Del Norte, Garfield county, Okla., and is yet living there. His wife, Susanna, mother of our subject, was born in Suizheirn, Baden, Germany, in 1843, and died in Kansas May 12, 1892. She was a daughter of Ignatius Walter, and was brought to America by her parents when four years old. Her father, who was a gardener, was employed in Pittsburg for a year and thence removed to Churchtown, Ohio, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He departed this life in Ohio, when about four-score years old, and his wife, who lived until 1886, was then nearly ninety.

Frank A. Dinkler, born November 14, 1863, near Marietta, Ohio, is one of ten children, four of whom now reside in Hennessey, namely: himself and brother, Joseph A., who are engaged in the drug business together; Emma and Frederick; Mary, the eldest of the family, lives with her aged father; Mrs. Louisa Eichman, the second daughter, lives in Topeka, Kans.; John, assessor of his township, is engaged in farming and stock-raising at Brookville, Kans., and William is living in Burlingame, Kans.; George died at the age of twenty-one years, in Wichita, and Susan died in her seventh year.

Having obtained a liberal public-school education, F. A. Dinkler commenced his business career as a clerk in a drug store at Brookville, Kans., and remained with the firm of Freeman & Co. for two years. The following year he spent on his father's homestead, and then he returned to the drug business, being employed by M. S. Crowley and T. W. & H. Carlin, of Brookville, until the store was destroyed by fire in February, 1890. The firm then located in Salina, and F. A. Dinkier opened a new store in April, 1890, on the site of the due which had been burned. He conducted it until February of the following year, when he removed to Kanopolis, Kans., and was similarly occupied there for a few.months. A favorable opportunity presenting itself, he disposed of his business October 1, 1891, and during the next six months was employed by his old firm, the Corlins, at Salina.

In April, 1892, Mr, Dinkler came to Hennessey and bought the drug store owned by Arch Claywater. Since that time he has carried on the business, and now is looked upon as a pioneer druggist here. He keeps a fine line of drugs and sundries, books and stationery, wallpaper and similar supplies. Of late years he has been branching out to some extent as a wholesale merchant, filling orders of neighboring town druggists. A member of the Oklahoma Pharmacists' Association, he served as its vice-president for some time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In political affiliations he is a Democrat. He is one of the original members of St. Joseph's Catholic church of this city.

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REUBEN GANT.
Since locating on his claim on the northwest quarter of section 25, Cooper township, Kingfisher county, Mr. Gant has shown a great deal of commendable energy and has made the best of the opportunities in the territory. He came here April 18, 1892, at the opening of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe reservation, accompanied by his son, E. B. Gant, and father and son were successful in filing on adjoining claims. The family joined him the following week, and for three years they lived in a dugout. Excellent improvements have since been made on the place, and one hundred acres are under cultivation. To comply with the demands for more room Mr. Gant has been obliged to rent other land, much of which is given over to the cultivation of wheat. In 1895 he built a commodious house, which is considered one of the best in the county. It is fitted with all modern appliances and furnished throughout in a comfortable and substantial way. Mr. Gant was born in Franklin county, Ind., July 10, 1838, and is a son of Giles and Nancy (Smith) Gant, the former a native of South Carolina, who came into Indiana with his father, Britton Gant, about 1808. Britton Gant bought government land at $1.25 an acre, and became the possessor of several hundred acres, which he farmed and upon which he reared a large family. This enterprising and industrious man died in 1835. Giles Gant grew to manhood in Franklin county, and in fact spent the remainder of his life there. He owned a large farm, and, though a self-educated man, rose to prominence along lines usually associated with greater educational advantages. He was an observant man and a keen student of human nature, qualities which came into ready play when in later years he became associate judge of Franklin county. He was further honored by being elected state senator from his county, a position which he held for one term. He studied law by himself, and was admitted to the bar of the justice court and successfully practiced for a number of years. He was held in high esteem by his contemporaries and respected by all who knew him. He died at the age of seventy-nine years. Nancy Gant was the mother of seventeen children, and died at the age of sixty-two.

Reuben Gant was married in 1861 in Indiana to Clarisa Ann Bake, who became the mother of eight children: Martha, who is the wife of Fred Woodruff; Oliver P., who is living in Chapman, Kans.; Cavellow W., of Kansas: Florinda C., Mrs. James E. Crosson; Edgar B., who has a claim near his father; Elmine E., Mrs. B. J. Halsey: Gertrude O., wife of George M. Shaner; and Arthur L. In politics Mr. Gant is independent. He has been a member of the school board for two years. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order, having joined that organization in Indiana, and is a member of the Westport Lodge No. 52.

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WILLIAM T. HAVARD.
Among the pioneers of Oklahoma William T. Havard takes a prominent place. For more than a quarter of a century he has dwelt on the frontier. As might be expected, his experiences in the early days of his residence in the west were varied and filled with danger. Possessing the qualities which insure success, he made the best of his opportunities for advancement and had the wisdom to remain on friendly terms with many of his neighbors and acquaintances, who otherwise might have been extremely troublesome. On the whole, he has been very popular with all classes of men, as his friendliness and good heart have been manifested on innumerable occasions.

Our subject's father, William T. Havard, Sr., a native of England, came to America in 1837 and entered Congress land in Illinois. He improved a farm in the vicinity of Homer, Vermilion county, Ill., and was extensively interested in the raising of live stock. He departed this life when about sixty years of age. His wife likewise was a native of Liverpool, and in her youth she bore the name of Mary A. Humphrey. She attained the venerable age of eighty-five years and died at Eureka, Ill., in 1893. Of her six children all but two lived to maturity, but the only survivor is the subject of this article.

William T. Havard, of this sketch, was born on the old homestead near Homer, Ill., December 27, 1849. He completed his education in the high school at Homer, and remained on the old farm until 1872, becoming quite successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. In 1874 he went to Colorado, and for about a year remained in the vicinity of Pueblo, engaged in the cattle business. He then went to Larned and for two years conducted a ranch situated on Pawnee Creek. From 1876 until 1881 he was engaged in the cattle business on a ranch located at the head of Turkey Creek, Pratt county. Then, selling the ranch, he moved his cattle to the neighborhood of Fort Reno, being allowed to do so by permit from Henry M. Teller, then secretary of the interior, and by the same authority he occupied a cattle ranch at the head of the Cottonwood, southeast of the Kingfisher stage ranch. His property was situated on the old Chisholm trail, and he continued there for two years, until Cleveland's proclamation ordering the removal of all cattle necessitated his leaving the territory. The sudden move was disastrous to him, as he suffered heavy losses in live stock and was only able to save a small proportion of his large herd. Later he settled in the Cherokee strip, on the old Johnson ranch, where he fed a part of his herd for the market and grazed the balance. In 1888 he disposed of the last of his live stock, and April 22 following he located in Reno City.

When the town of Hennessey was fairly started, in August, 1889, he decided to become a citizen of the place, and here he erected what has long been known as the Red Barn livery stable. Until 1897 he conducted a thriving livery, feed and sale stable, but in the meantime had become so thoroughly interested in the grain business that he at length sold out the livery. For two years he bought grain extensively for the firm of Richmond & Swartzel, and then began buying grain on his own account. In 1899 he built an elevator at Waukomis, having a capacity of fifteen thousand bushels, and also constructed one at Okarche accommodating ten thousand bushels. While he has his headquarters in Hennessey, he maintains branch stations at North Enid, Garber, Waukomis and Okarche. Gradually he has built up a large and lucrative business and has become well and favorably known among the grain producers of this locality. He is a charter member of the Grain Dealers Association of Oklahoma and Indian Territories.

As is commonly known, W. T. Havard was the first president of the village of Hennessey and did effective work for its improvement as a member of the first board of city aldermen. While a resident of Kansas he served for two terms as one of the commissioners of Pratt county and part of the time acted as chairman of that honorable body. In 1890 he was appointed by Governor Steele as census manager for the district of northern Kingfisher county. Politically he is a true-blue Republican and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias.

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BENTON STATES,
whose well-conducted claim is located on the northeast quarter of section 18, Skeleton township, Kingfisher county, came to Oklahoma, July 18, 1889, from Lane county, Kans. He was born in Ray county, Mo., in 1867, and is a son of John States, a native of Richland county, Ohio, where he was born in 1843. When a boy of fourteen or fifteen he went to Missouri with a brother, and undertook his own support.

At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Turner, and served for three years and three months in Missouri and Arkansas, being later attached to the regiment of General Rosecrans, in the southwest. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Mo.; Lexington, and many minor skirmishes. His war experience was rendered particularly sad owing to the death of his brother Daniel at the battle of Murfreesboro, where he was blown to pieces by the artillery. After receiving honorable discharge at Springfield, Mo., Mr. States went to Leavenworth, Kans., and there joined a freighting expedition headed for Denver, Colo., with which he remained for about a year, going then to Ray county, Mo. Until 1885 he gave his attention to general farming, but at that time moved his family to Lane county, Kans., and homesteaded a claim on government land, upon which he lived until the spring of 1889. With others equally ambitious, he made the run from Buffalo Springs into Kingfisher county, and settled on the farm to which his son filed a claim the following July. Here was passed the remainder of his life, and he died May 29, 1892.

After coming to Oklahoma, he was converted to the Church of Christ, and was thereafter active in religious work. He was a progressive and industrious man, and a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. His wife, Miram (McKown) States, was born in Ray county, Mo., and became the mother of five children, viz.: Benton; Oliver, who is a farmer in Garfield county; Edward, living in Reno county, Kans.; Mary, who is the wife of Stephen Parnell; and George, a farmer in this township. After being left a widow, Mrs. States took a claim in Gar-field county, at the opening of the strip in 1893. This she improved, and upon it she remained until her death in 1898, at the age of fifty-two years.

Bcnton States grew to manhood in Missouri, and received his education in the public schools. His first independent venture was the filing of the claim in Oklahoma upon which his father had previously located. He at once began its systematic improvement, and worked his way up from the bottom round of the ladder to a position in the community, and a high standing among the agriculturists of the locality. In the winter of 1889 he was selected by the citizens of Lyon valley to open the first schoolhouse in the northern part of Kingfisher, and he taught the school for a four-months' term. His work was so satisfactory that it secured his re-election, and he continued in the same line of work for the four following terms. This was followed by two terms of teaching at Spring Valley. He began teaching on a third-grade certificate, and by dint of study and continued hard work he now has a first-grade certificate, with a general average of ninety-three per cent.

For the last two years Mr. States has devoted his entire time to the improvement of his claim, and to general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party and has filled several important local offices, including that of township trustee, and township clerk, each for one term. He was married, in 1897, to Cleo Stout, a former pupil. To this couple have been born two children: Anna G. and Mary Iva. The family are members of the Church of Christ in Christian Union, and Mr. States has for three years been Sunday school superintendent of the Lyon Valley Church. He takes an active part in all religious matters, and is prominently connected with enterprises instituted for the upbuilding of the locality.

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WILLIAM THOMSON.
Upon his finely improved and well-conducted farm, located on the southeast quarter of section 31, Cimarron township, Kingfisher county, Mr. Thomson has, in a measure, reaped the reward that follows in the wake of those who are industrious, enterprising, and who use practical common sense in dealing with the every-day problems of life. He has known how to take advantage of the splendid opportunities in the new territory, and has thus turned them to the best possible advantage. His farm is second to none in the locality; the homelike aspect produced by the prevailing air of neatness and thrift, and the finely constructed house, with its comfortable and modern furnishings, contribute, not only to the satisfaction of those who are privileged to make it their home, but appeal as well to the credit of the community at large.

The Thomson family is of Scotch descent. William Thomson was born in Peoria county, Ill., October 12, 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Cation) Thomson, born, respectively, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. Thomas Thomson came to the United States in 1830, settling in Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a general farmer and plasterer by trade, and a successful man in the carrying out of his occupations. His farm was extremely wild when he first purchased it, and there were but a few houses between his home in Peoria county and Chicago. He died at the age of fifty-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomson were born eleven children, of whom the following survive: Margaret, the wife of Matthew Murdock, of Logan county, Okla.; Elizabeth, who is married to W. H. Cornwell, of Pontiac, Ill.; William; Agnes, now Mrs. James Baxter; David, who lives at Storm Lake, Iowa; Samuel, living in Chicago; John, and Thomas, who live in Garfield county, Okla. The mother is living with her son John in Garfield county. The maternal grandfather, William Cation, came from Scotland to the United States in 1830, and settled near Peoria, Ill., where he spent the- remainder of his life, and died at the age of seventy-five years. He married Margaret Paul in Scotland, and to them were born eight children, four of whom arc living: Mrs. Thomson; James, who is living in Illinois; Thomas, living in Allen county, Kans.; and Agnes, who is the wife of James Robinson, of Glasgow, Scotland.

William Thomson grew to manhood on his father's farm in Peoria county, and received his education at the public schools. At the age of nineteen he went to. Livingston county, and soon after bought a farm, which he conducted for a time, then carried on a mercantile business at Graymont, Ill., for about two years. In 1891 he sold out and removed to Nebraska, where he drilled wells, but in the fall of the same year he located in Brown county, Kans., in the town of Horton, remaining there nearly two years. In the fall of 1892, leaving his family in Kansas, he came to Oklahoma, and bought the farm upon which he has since lived, and for which he paid $ 1,100. The following spring his family came to the territory, and in the spring of 1893 he built the large house, which, at the time, had not its equal for size in the county. The first year the crops were fairly satisfactory, and consisted of two thousand bushels of wheat. The orchard is in a flourishing condition, and is planted with five hundred trees.

Mr. Thomson was married in Illinois May 30, 1882, to Margaret H. Gallagher, and they are giving a home to an adopted son. In politics Mr. Thomson is a Republican. With his family, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributes generously towards its support. He is deserving of all the credit which his friends and fellow-citizens readily accord him.

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