John Thompson

(from History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin, dtd 1881.)

Note: Corrections have been made to the original data, as necessary.

JOHN THOMPSON, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Gratiot; born in Wayne Co., Penn.; town of Deerfield, Sept 3, 1812 went to Indiana in 1831, was engaged in teaming and farming, and came to Wisconsin in May 1837; in October, 1837, entered the land where the old homestead now stands; he built the old log cabin, and has since re-improved, and now owns 340 acres of fine land, has a barn 50x50, bank stable, good house, spring, etc. First wife, Lydia Bennet, was born in Erie Co., Penn; he was married at the age of 21, in Pennsylvania; they have six children -- John, Robert, Wesley and Philander, Lydia, now Mrs. Bolsby, Rachel, now Mrs. Taggart -- all in Kansas. Second wife, Betsy Hayes, previously Mrs. Black, was born in Oil Creek, Penn., Feb 1, 1833; came to Wisconsin in 1859; was married in May 1868; they had one child -- Eugene Randalls, born Dec. 14, 1870, and an adopted son, Samuel, now in New Mexico. Mrs. Thompson was formerly the wife of Mr. Black; he died in 1863 in Wisconsin, and left four children -- Samuel, Thomas, Lorenzo Dow, in Leadville, Col., and James Fremont. Mr. Thompson's father and mother came to Wisconsin in 1863, and Mrs. Thompson died in 1865 and his father died in 1868. His wife's mother, Mrs. James Hayes, now lives with the family; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1799, and is still quite young in appearance. Mr. Thompson came to Wisconsin with $4 in money, and can now live with ease.

This map above shows the Gratiot/Riverside area from around 1885. At the very top of the map, just north of the community of Riverside, is the John Thompson farm on section 33.

This view, looking north, is in the approximate area of the John Thompson farm. The river is at the right edge.

When I visited the area of the farm this past month (May 2003), there was no sign of the community of Riverside, nor any trace of any John Thompson farm buildings. In fact, the roads have changed so much, that I wasn't quite sure where the old farm might have stood. However, there is a newer one-lane bridge over the river in the area of the section line, so I was fairly close. The railroad has been abandoned and a recreation trail now winds its way along the river.

Read about our very first visit to Gratiot, Wisconsin. Also includes photos from cemetery.

Lafayette County Courthouse

Darlington, Wisconsin

A visit to the Lafayette Courthouse in Darlington, Wisconsin provided the following information from the County Clerk:

Registration of Death: John Thompson, White, Male, 71, farmer. Date of Death: March 28, 1889. Name of father: Not listed. Name of mother: Not listed.

Cause of death: Sarcoma of Neck (cancer of the neck).

Registration of Death: Betsey J Thompson (John's second wife), White, Female, 65 yrs, 10 mons, 12 days, Housewife. Date of Birth: Feb 1, 1833.

Date of Death: Dec 13, 1898. Place of death residence: Darlington, WI. Cause of death: Hyperthrophy of Liver (enlarged liver). Duration of disease: 5 months.

Undertaker: R.E. Tarrell.

I also visited the Clerk of the Court to take a look at the Probate files. The file included the original John Thompson will, probate notice, probate papers, outstanding bills and numerous court filings necessary to close an estate. Here some of the more interesting pieces.

From the will:

> John left to his "wife Betsy J Thompson all my household furniture, beds, bedding, wearing apparel and all that pertains to my household goods and the one half part of the net income during her natural life from all my real estate which I now own at my decease".

> The other half of the net income from the real estate was left to his "son Eugene Randall Thompson, my stepson Samuel Black and the boy I raised known by the name of Samuel Thompson (a son of a woman that married Stephan Simpson)".

> To the other Black stepchildren, he left a sum of $500, apparently to be shared amongst them.

> To the above mentioned Samuel Thompson, he left a sum of $400 to be paid after the death of his wife Betsey.

> His real estate was left to his wife Betsy and his friend N.E. Tully "to have and to hold the same to them and their survivors of them in trust". This trust was apparently set up to ensure that the income from the farm would be paid out accordingly. His friend Tully was probably named as an executor to oversee the usage of the land and for the fair and equal sharing of the profits.

> For the case where his wife Betsey should die, executor N.E. Tully was directed to transfer the estate to Eugene Randall Thompson "provided however that said son has in the mean time learned some useful trade, business or profession and is of good moral character."

> Who was left out of the will? "It's my will that my sons Wesley, George, Philander and Robert Thompson and my daughter Rachel shall not share in this my estate and therefore I do not will them anything."

> It is signed, "Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of August A.D. 1888.... John Thompson"

Bill from Collins and Son, Dealers in Stoves and Hardware:

As part of the probate, all of John's bills were submitted to be paid by the estate. John had a small bill of $15.45 at Collins and Son, but dated back to 1886. Apparently, he purchased items now and then, but never seemed to make any payments in the last 3 years of his life. Here is some of that bill:

1886

Aug 7 10# nails............................. .40

Sept 22 Powder, shot & caps....... .30

Oct 1 Powder, shot ..................... .25

Oct 9 Powder, shot ..................... .25

Oct 16 Powder ........................... .10

1887

April 9 Nails ............................... .25

April 11 Nails ............................. .25

April 28 Shovel .......................... 3.00

May 4 Pump .............................. 3.50

Nov 2 1 box cartridges ................. .30 .... He must have purchased a new gun that used cartridges rather than powder and shot!

Bill from Lund, Quinn & Co., Dealers in Dry Goods, Clothing, Groceries:

On March first of 1889, John had a balance of $173.61 at the store. Here are some of the entries to the ledger the final year:

1889

March 19 1 pr shoes.............. 2.75

March 22 Oil, cheese .............. .45

March 26 1 suit ................... 13.00

March 26 1 pr hose ................ .45

March 26 1 collar ................... .15

Balance ............................ 190.41

Interest ................................. 9.59

Balance .............................200.00

I found this bill to be rather interesting because it was for the last year of his life. It is rather likely that the suit, shoes, socks and collar listed above were the clothes he was buried in. He ran up a sizable bill over the years. I imagine that $200 was a lot of money back then!

In Probate - LaFayette County Court. An Inventory:

The following inventory is taken from the probate records...

Real Estate:

The west half of the North East quarter of Section Thirty-three in Townsip Two

North of Range 4, East - 80 acres ...............................................................................$1840.00

Lot Number 4 in said Section 33 Town 2 Range 4 - 30 acres .........................................$690.00

Lot Number 5 in said Section 33 Town 2 Range 4 - 59 acres .........................................$957.00

Undivided 1/3 of Lots 1 & 2 in Sec 32 Town 2 Range 4 East ...........................................$10.00

Lots Number 2, 3, 14 and 15 in Block 14 in the Village of Gratiot

according to recorded plot ..............................................................................................$300.00.

Personal Estate:

One promissory note executed by John Logan and Sylvester Murphy to said deceased

for the sum of $140 dated April 30 1888 due Seven months after its date with 8% interest

upon which is an endorsment of $110 paid Dec 28, 1888 ................................................ $30.47

One promissory note executed by C.E Simons and Elizabeth Simons to said deceased

for the sum of $215.25 dated April 30 1888 due Seven months after its date with 8% interest

upon which has been paid $100 ..................................................................................... $133.50

One bay horse called Bill .................................................................................................. $20.00

Two cows - $15, each ..................................................................................................... $30.00

Petition to Sell Real Estate:

The Petition to Sell Real Estate, dated June 17, 1890, declares that the cash in John Thompson's estate did not fully cover his debts and some property would need to be sold. It reads, as follows...

The petition of Betsy J. Thompson, executrix and N.E. Tully, executor of the estate of John Thompson deceased, respectfully represents:

First. - That the total amount of personal estate that has come into their hands is Eight hundred and seventy-nine and 25/100 DOLLARS.

Second. - That Six hundred and ninety-nine and 20/100 DOLLARS thereof remains undisposed of.

Third. - That the debts outstanding against the said deceased, so far as the same can be ascertained, amount to Eleven hundred and thirty-six DOLLARS. (besides two hundred dollars widows allowance)

Fourth. - That the following is a description of all of the real estate of which, said John Thompson died, seized, and a statement of the condition and value of the respective parcles thereof...

The west half of the North East quarter of Section Thirty-three in Townsip Two

North of Range 4, East of the 4th, containing 80 acres of land all under cultivation,

poorly fence and a cheap dwelling house thereon; appraised value ................................$1840.00

Lot Number 4 in said Section 33 - 30 acres; improved, appraised value .........................$690.00

Lot Number 5 in said Section 33 - 59 acres; improved, appraised value ..........................$957.00

Undiv. 1/3 of Lots 1 & 2, Sec 32 town & Range of said, 1 37/100 acres, appraised value $10.00

Lots 2, 3, 14, 15 Block 14 Village of Gratiot - Small house thereon and

fenced - of appraised value of .........................................................................................$300.00.

All in LaFayette County, Wisconsin. ............................................................................ $3797.00 total

Fifth. - That the following are the names, ages and residences, respectively, of the heirs of said deceased:

............. see above.

Sixth. - That it is necessary to sell or incomber (a part) of said real estate, in order to pay said debts and expenses of administration, and your partioner would therefore pray that license to them be granted to mortgage, lease or sell, as the Court seems expedient, the following described pieces of parcles thereof, to-wit: The West half of the North East quarter of Section Thirty-three, Town Two, Range 4.

Dated June 17th, 1890

Signed Betsy J Thompson and N. E. Tully

Scene from Gratiot, Wisconsin.

Gratiot Depot 2003 (left). Gratiot Depot many years ago (right).

Read about our very first visit to Gratiot, Wisconsin. Also includes photos from cemetery.

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