John J. Thompson

THOMPSON, SCHMIDTT, STONE, RUPPERT, HARSHAW

Posted By: Marlene Kay Skalberg (email)
Date: 6/27/2019 at 15:34:40

John J. Thompson (deaf mute) died Thursday morning, death following sever injuries received when he was struck by an automobile on the streets of Corning three weeks ago. Mr. Thompson has suffered intensely from a crushed leg, broken ribs, and internal injuries. His death means the passing of another pioneer of Adams County, and one who has held the deepest respect of the community who in spite of his handicap, was able to care for himself and his family and serve the community as a citizen of the finest sort.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Hilliard Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. William J. Todd. Burial was made in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.
John J. Thompson (deaf mute), son of James E. and Mary A. E. Thompson was born August 31, 1858 in Kewanee, Illinois and was 78 years, 3 months, and 3 days old at the time of his death, Thursday, December 2, 1936. He came to Iowa with his parents and started work as an apprentice in the harness business. After mastering his trade he opened a harness shop of his own and continued in this business until the Corning Frie, which completely destroyed his shop He reestablished his trade after the fire and continued for a number of years finally closing out and going to work in the O. T. Hutchinson harness shop,
He was married to Alice M. Schmidtt, January 4, 1885 in the home of his wife's uncle George H. Miller at Quincy, Illinois. To this union five children were born. They are Maude E. Stone of Oakland, California; Eunice Ruppert deceased, formerly of Oakland; Izette Thompson, deceased; George W. Thompson and Mrs. Prudence Harshaw of Corning. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Olive Bixby of Corning; five grandchildren and one great grandchild. His wife preceded him in death six weeks ago on October 23, 1936.
He was baptized in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kewanee, Illinois as a child, but sure to his affliction was unable to take an active part in the church. He was a graduated of the School for the Deaf at Jacksonville, Illinois and his wife was also a graduated of the same school.
Mr. Thompson was a familiar figure on the Corning streets and will be missed by a host of friends. Eager to be active, his one aim in life seemed to be to keep doing until the end and even on his sick bed his one worry seemed to be the inactivity which his illness necessitated.
Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, December 10, 1936, page 10