Our Trip to Gratiot, Wisconsin (Sept 27, 1997) In Search of Thompson Gravestones

Gratiot (population 207) is in the southwestern corner of Wisconsin and is 2 hours from Cedar Rapids, IA. Three cemeteries were found in the area (the Gratiot internet page said that there were 6, but we were unable to find the others). Two cemeteries were found on the south end of town (just like the internet page said) - one the Catholic cemetery, one the town cemetery. No Thompson stones were found in the Catholic cemetery, but two stones in the town cemetery did match the information contained in the 1881 History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin - one of them was the grave of John Thompson!

The first stone was the marker for 4 graves. The following information was on three of the sides:

South side of stone: John Thompson born Sept 3, 1812 died Mar 28, 1889 ~ Betsy J. Thompson born Feb 1, 1833 died Dec 13, 1898

West side of stone: Prosser Black born July 25, 1859 died Jun 16, 1888 son of LPD and Betsy Jane Black.

North side of stone: Jane wife of Samuel Hayes born May 19, 1799 died Jan 9, 1888

This is the grave of my great-great-great grandfather John Thompson, father to Rachel (Thompson) Taggart. The dates and information on this stone match the information on the "History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin", dated 1881. The birth date, Sept 3, 1812, is slightly different from the "History" date of Sept 5, 1812, but is only two days off. I think the gravestone date is most apt to be correct. Betsy Thompson's birth date of Feb 1, 1833 matches the date in the "History". Also worth noting is that the Betsy's mother Jane is also buried at the same stone. The birthday of 1799 matches the date in the "History". The Prosser Black listed on the stone is obviously the son of L.P.D. and Betsy Black, but the name does not match those in the "History" as Samuel, Thomas, Lorenzo Dow or James Fremont. Also, just a guess, but I bet the "P" in L.P.D. stood for Prosser.

A second stone, immediately north of the preceding stone, was also marking 4 graves. The following information was on three side of the stone:

South side of stone: L.P.D. Black husband of Betsy Black. born May 31, 1836 died June 9, 1863 Enlisted in Co E - 31st Wis Vol. Died in actual service East side of stone: Mary wife of Thomas Black born Sept 20, 1861 died Febr 27, 1886 ~ John Bryant Black son of Thomas and Mary Black born Febr 27, 1886 died Sept 3, 1886

North side of stone: Thomas Black born May 5, 1857 died Oct 13, 1889

While the Black family is not in my direct family tree, the gravestone information is interesting because it helps to corroborate the information on the 1881 "History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin". First, the L.P.D. Black on the stone above is the first husband of Betsy Thompson (maiden name Hayes). Secondly, his death date was 1863, as listed in the history. Thirdly, Thomas Black is listed as one of the children from the L.P.D. & Betsy Black marriage. Thomas's birth date is consistent with timeframe of the L.P.D. & Betsy Black marriage.

Also, note that Mary Black died in childbirth. Her death date, Febr 27 1886, is the birth date of John Bryant Black. The child only lived to the age of 6 months. The father, Thomas Black, died at the age of 33.

Photo taken May 2003

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