John Thompson, son of T. J. and
Hannah (Janstader) Thompson, was born in Sweden, Nov. 6,
1815. He followed a sea-faring life for fifteen years,
visiting many of the principal cities of the world. He
worked five years in the New Orleans branch of the United
States mint, and from there removed to Dubuque County,
Ia., where he followed farming nineteen years. In 1870 he
settled on his present farm in Clayton County. He was
married in New Orleans in 1850 to Wilhelmina Kruson, a
native of Germany. Their union has been blessed with five
children—Anna Sophia, now the wife of Andrew Benson,
residing in Forestville, Ia.; John, Frank, Caroline
(deceased) and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Thompson had
one child by a former marriage—Cecelia, now the wife
of Nicholas Meyers, and resides in Lodomillo Township.
Mr. Thompson and family are members of the Lutheran
church. In politics he votes the Democratic ticket, and
is one of the enterprising citizens of Clayton County. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 755-56 |