| J. K. Thompson |
SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: KING, RENICK, THOMPSON, VAN METER
J. K. THOMPSON. Some of the most enterprising men of the county reside in Philo Township. The gentleman whose name heads this brief biography is prominent among this number. He is the proprietor of a well-conducted farm of 125 acres on section 3, Philo township, where he located in 1881. His land is finely improved and stocked with the best grades of domestic animals, including thoroughbred Short-horn cattle and fine horses. His present possessions are the result of his own industry. Since a boy of twelve years he has been familiar with the care of horses, to the habits of which animal he has given much attention, and has obtained quite a reputation as a breeder of the noblest and most useful of all animals.
Mr. Thompson was born in Cumberland County, Pa., June 29, 1813. His father, John THOMPSON, a native of Adams County, Pa., was reared on a farm which occupied a part of the ground where was fought the battle of Gettysburg. The Thompsons were of Scottish origin, the grandfather of our subject coming to this country before his marriage and settling in Adams County, Pa., where he reared a family, and spent the remainder of his days. John Thompson was reared on the farm in Pennsylvania, and upon reaching manhood was married to Miss Elizabeth KING, who was a lady of Irish parentage. Their wedding took place in Cumberland County, where they located upon a farm and whence they removed to Ohio in 1820. The father, however, having received a good education spent the earlier part of his life as a teacher in the public schools. After his marriage he settled with his bride near Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio. This remained the home of the parents of J. K. until their death, that of the mother occurring when she was seventy-two years old, and the fathers in 1880, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Of their four sons and four daughters one died before the parents. Six are now living.
Mr. Thompson was the eldest son and third child of the family. He remained a member of the parental household until thirty-one years of age. He was united in marriage, in Champaign County, Ohio, in the year 1844, to Miss Margaret A. VAN METER, whose parents, Col. Henry and Margaret (RENICK) VAN METER, were natives of Virginia, and of German descent. The father of Mrs. Thompson was a man of great energy and industry, and served as a commissioned officer in the War of 1812. After retiring from the army he engaged as a farmer and stock-dealer, and accumulated considerable property. He was Sheriff of his county for several terms, and was universally respected as a citizen and business man. Both parents died in Champaign County, Ohio.
After his marriage Mr. Thompson located on a farm near Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio, whence he removed in 1876 to Philo Township, this county. Here he has been successfully engaged in agriculture, and has displayed excellent judgment in the management of his farm and business matters generally. He was formerly a Whig, politically, but since the organization of the Republican party has been a firm supporter of its principles. Both our subject and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian Church.