Hon. Benjamin F. Thompson

"Hon. Benjamin F. Thompson is not only one of the successful and substantial farmers of Polk County, Ark., but he is also respected and esteemed for his many admirable traits of character. His life has been a useful one, and he has at all times endeavored to follow the teachings of the Golden Rule. He first saw the light of day in Morgan County, Ala., in 1836, being the ninth of twelve children; ten now living, born to the marriage of Benjamin W. and Keziah (JACKSON) THOMPSON, both of whom were born in South Carolina, the former in 1793 and the latter in 1801. They were reared and married in their native state, and from there moved to Morgan County, Ala., where Mrs. Thompson died on August 17, 1873, Mr. Thompson passing from life two years later, both members of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years. He was a successful farmer, a soldier in the War of 1812, and was with Jackson at New Orleans. His father, Benjamin Thompson was a Virginian, who died in North Carolina, a farmer by occupation. He was a Revolutionary soldier for five years, and was of Welsh descent. The maternal grandfather, John JACKSON, removed from South Carolina to Alabama, in which State he died just before the subject of this sketch was born, a farmer by callin, and a soldier in the War of 1812. Hon. Benjamin F. Thompson obtained a fair education in the common schools during his boyhood, and was brought up to a knowledge of farm life by his father. In August, 1861, he joined Company H., Twelfth Alabama Infantry, and was in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, seven day's faight around Richmond, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, and many others. He was never captured, but at the battle of Gettsyburg was wounded in the left shoulder. He surrendered in Northern Alabama, being unfit for further service after he received his wound. He farmed in Alabama until 1877, <date must be incorrect>, then came to Polk County, Ark., and in 1873 was married to Mrs. Eliza A. WRIGHT, daughter of William and Mahala JOPLIN, Mississippians, who came to Polk County, Ark., in 1856, where the father died before the war, a farmer, his widow still surviving him. Mrs. Thompson was born in Mississippi, and has borne her husband nine children, one being deceased. Since 1871, Mr. Thompson has lived on his present farm of 400 acres, 100 acres of which are cleared. This is one of the finest farms in this section, and is the result of honest and persistent toil. In connection with farming he is engaged in stock-raising to some extent, in which branch of industry he has met with good success. In 1886 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Legislature, and served one term, being on several important committees. He is a member of Dallas Lodge No. 128, of the A. F. & A. M., and for some years was senior warden. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife is a Methodist. His place is supposed to be the first one settled in the county, about seventy-five years ago, by Jacob WILD, at which time the country was very sparsely settled, the woods being inhabited by Indians and wild animals of all kinds."



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