NEWTON
J. THOMPSON.
File set up years ago by RKW...
Newton J. Thompson was born in Henry
County, Kentucky, May 14, 1834, a son of Amasa and Ruhema (Boone) Thompson.
His father, Amasa
Thompson, was a farmer and stock raiser of Kentucky, where he spent his entire
life. Both he and his wife were buried in the cemetery of the homestead. In
1851, Amasa Thompson moved to Missouri, but remained there only a short time
before returning to Kentucky. Ten children were born, of whom only five were
still living in 1901: Mary M. (Artemesa) of Yate Center, Kansas; E. Jane
(Browning), of Butler County, Missouri; Newton J.; Kate (Schmidt), of Henry
County, Kentucky; and Ophelia Ann (Bobbett), of St. Louis, Missouri. Amasa
Thompson’s wife, who was a first cousin of Daniel Boone, was first married to a
Mr. Sisk.
Newton J. Thompson
was reared in Kentucky and educated at the Masonic college, at La Grange, in
that state. He accompanied his parents to Missouri in 1851, but soon afterward
returned to Kentucky. During the Civil War he was in the service of the
government, in Kansas. In 1859 he left Saline County, Missouri, for Kansas,
where he lived afterward. For eight years he was a government freighter on the
plains. He had charge of a train consisting of 25 loads and a mess-wagon, and
traveled to various parts of Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
Newton J. Thompson
drove into Cowley County, Kansas, on August 13, 1868, over the old cattle trail
from Ellsworth, with three teams of mules and horses. He built a house on the east bank of the
Walnut river, about one mile below the line. Mr. Sales and family, who settled
on the Walnut just below Thompson’s place in December, 1868, were the first
settlers with families of whom any evidence can be found. At this time there
was no house on Grouse creek, nor upon the Arkansas river below Wichita.
Mr. Douglass,
after whom the town of Douglass was named, persuaded Mr. Thompson to go into the cattle business, and he accordingly
located at the mouth of Rock and Muddy Creeks, where he had a corral, of about
100 acres in extent, in a bend of the Walnut River. (Note: This is about
four miles south of the north border of Cowley County. RKW.) The cattle ranged east from this corral, and
it was while out hunting them, that he came to the decision to locate where he
thereafter lived. In the latter part of 1869 he preempted the northwest quarter
of section 7, township 31, range 6 east, and afterward bought the southwest
quarter of the same section. He first lived in a tent, and the Indians
subsisted on his cattle for more than a year. About two years later, he built a
stone house, the walls of which were 18 inches thick, and this later formed a
part of his last residence, a six-room dwelling. At the outset he used a stone
shed for a barn, 40 by 46 feet in dimensions. He was successful in the cattle
business for many years, but in later years leased the greater part of his
farm, and dealt extensively in standard bred horses.
Mr. Thompson was
first married, in Brownsville, Missouri, to Miss Berry, deceased, as were also
their children. He married again July 23, 1868, at Leavenworth, Kansas, Anna
Yakel, born in Germany April 28, 1838, who had settled in Wisconsin on her
arrival to this country in 1853. They had no children. She received the premium
at the first fair held at Highland Park, Winfield, Kansas.
Mrs. N. J.
Thompson died November 6, 1911. Buried in Wilmot cemetery.
Norman J. Thompson
died April 19, 1913. Buried in Wilmot cemetery.
Silver Creek
Township 1874: N. J. Thompson, 40; spouse, Anna, 33.
Kansas 1875
Census, Silver Creek Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name age sex color Place/birth
Where from
N. J. Thompson 40
m
w Kentucky Missouri
Anna Thompson 34 f w ? Wisconsin
Silver Creek
Township 1878: N. J. Thompson, 44; spouse, Anna, 37.
P. O. Address
Moscow.
Silver Creek
Township 1879: N. J. Thompson, 45; spouse, Anna, 38
Mrs. N. J.
Thompson died November 6, 1911.
Norman J. Thompson
died April 19, 1913 and was buried in
the Wilmot cemetery.
[FROM
THE NEWSPAPERS.]
[COURT
PROCEEDINGS.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, August
7, 1873.
W. Heineken vs. N.
J. Thompson, dismissed.
THE WINFIELD
COURIER. CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
WINFIELD COURIER,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
In August 1868, N.
J. Thompson, the first white settler, ventured within its limits. He built a
house on the east bank of the Walnut river, about one mile below the line. Mr.
Sales and family, who settled on the Walnut just below Thompson’s place in
December 1868, were the first settlers with families of whom any evidence can
be found. At this time there was no house on Grouse creek, nor upon the
Arkansas river below Wichita.
Note: C. M. Wood
referred to Mr. Sayles instead of Mr. Sales.
PATRONS OF
HUSBANDRY. The following Granges were organized by J. H. Werden, deputy. Jan.
17, 1874, Omnia, N. J. Thompson, master.
[DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, September 28,
1876. Editorial Page.
The convention met
at the courthouse last Saturday and temporarily organized by electing E. P.
Young chairman and J. W. Curns, secretary. Committees were appointed and the
convention adjourned till 1 o’clock. The committee on credentials reported the
following as delegates. Silver Creek Township: N. J. Thompson, Thomas J. Payne.
Judge McDonald
moved that a county central committee be appointed consisting of one from each
township and also a campaign committee consisting of five members who should
be centrally located. The following gentlemen comprise the central committee:
T. McIntire, W. D. Lester, N. J. Thompson, W. R. Bedell, J. P. Eckels, Wm.
Moon, Adam Walck, Jos. Howard, C. C. Krow, J. B. Lynn, K. McClung, J. W.
Ledlie, P. W. Smith, Wm. Morrow, Jno. Smiley, Geo. Harris, Jno. McAllister, Wm.
Grow, Jno. Bobbitt, Dennis Harkins, and Wm. Anderson.
[THE FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, October 9, 1879.
Last Saturday
ended the most successful fair ever held in Cowley County. The display,
especially of blooded stock, was large, and shows that our people are awake to
the advantage of well-bred over common scrub stock. We hope this may result in
rooting out the old scrubby breeds that are so numerous at present.
The three Short
Horn cows and calves, owned by N. J. Thompson, showed many fine points, and
carried the blue ribbon.
[COWLEY COUNTY
FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, September 28,
1882.
“CLASS B”—CATTLE.
This class was well represented, there being forty-one entries, all a good
grade of stock. The exhibit shows a decided advance in the quality and grade of
our stock.
N. J. Thompson of
Burden carried off four 1st and two 2nd premiums, making six premiums in all on
his herd of nine.
[FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, October 4, 1883.
CLASS C. CATTLE.
SHORTHORNS. Best
bull 1 year old, N. J. Thompson, Silver Creek, 1st premium; Bayne & Cecil,
Kentucky, 2nd.
GRADES AND
CROSSES. Best bull calf under 1 year, N. J. Thompson, Silver Creek, 1st
premium; E. Rodgers, city, 2nd. Best heifer 1 year old and under 2,
N. J. Thompson, Silver Creek, 1st premium; A. Hurst, Bolton, 2nd.
SWEEPSTAKES. Best
cow shown with offspring, not less than four in number, N. J. Thompson, Silver
Creek, 1st premium.
SPECIAL PREMIUMS.
By S. W. Phoenix, for the best colt sired by “Lilac,” ten dollars, awarded to
N. J. Thompson, Burden.
NOTE: Mr. N. J.
Thompson got away with everyone with his short horn calves. They were beauties
in “form and finish.”
Winfield Courier, January 17, 1884.
On Monday
afternoon the stockholders of the Cowley County Fair and Driving Park
Association met in the Opera House for the purpose of re-organizing the Board
of Directors for the year 1884, and receiving reports of the condition and
doings of the Association for the year. About seventy-five stockholders,
representing nearly all of the subscribed stock, were present.
N. J. Thompson
held one share of stock.
[FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, October 2, 1884.
Mr. N. J. Thompson’s
premium of his Short Horn cattle amounted to $88.50.
N. J. Thompson
took $89 in premiums in the cattle ring with his thoroughbreds. His cattle were
very fine.
We print below a
complete list of premiums awarded from the Secretary’s books.
CLASS A—HORSES.
GENERAL PURPOSES.
Colt, one year old
and under two: M. L. Read, first; N. J. Thompson, second.
Mare, 1 year old
and under 2; N. J. Thompson, first.
CLASS B.—CATTLE.
SHORT HORNS.
Bull, 2 years old
and under 3; N. J. Thompson, 1st.
GRADES AND
CROSSES.
Bull calf under 1
year, N. J. Thompson, 1st and 2nd.
Cow 3 years old or
over, John R. Smith, 1st; N. J. Thompson, 2nd.
Heifer 2 years old
and under 3, N. J. Thompson, 1st; F. A. A. Williams, 2nd.
Heifer 1 year old
and under 2, N. J. Thompson, 1st and 2nd.
Heifer under 1
year, N. J. Thompson, 1st and 2nd.
SWEEPSTAKES.
Best bull any age
or blood, N. J. Thompson, 1st.
[FAIR.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday,
September 24, 1885.
The display in
horses this morning was in the “agricultural” line. The exhibit was large and
in excellent form. A. J. Lyon took first premium on a 4 year old stallion and
H. C. Hawkins second. S. Allison captured another blue ribbon on his 3 year
old, and Frank Conkright on a 2 year old, with N. J. Thompson second. John
McMahan’s one year old stallion took a blue ribbon, while N. L. Yarbrough got
the red. F. B. Evan’s stallion colts took both blue and red. In the Gelding
ring F. W. Schwantes’s fine iron gray took first on 4 year olds. For 2 year
olds M. L. Read’s handsome chestnut colt took the blue, and Gene Wilber’s fine
bay second. There was a great herd of mares competing. The first prize was won
by Mr. J. S. Baker, of New Salem, and the second by Mr. E. J. Johnson, of
Sheridan. N. J. Thompson’s 2 year old mare also got a blue ribbon and J. R.
Smith’s the red. L. Stout got away with the yearling first prize and Joseph
Hahn second. The colt prize was won by R. W. Stephens, N. L. Yarbrough second.
In mule colts Henry Hahn took premiums.
CATTLE. The
shorthorns were the first called in the ring. Never has finer cattle been shown
at any fair. They were all beauties, and it was difficult to judge between
them. The judges selected were R. M. Clark, of Beaver; Silas Kennedy, of
Bolton; and S. Allison, of Winfield. N. J. Thompson took a blue ribbon on his
fine bull, and Bahntge, Kates & Co., a red. Mr. J. Johnson, of Spring
Creek, captured two blue ribbons and two red ones on his fine show of short
horns. J. R. Smith & Son took one first and two seconds. Mr. F. W.
McClellan took two blue ribbons on his fine calves.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October
1, 1885.
The list given
below shows money premiums only. Checks for same will be ready after October 1st,
and must be claimed by November 1st, 1885, or forfeit to the
association. (See rule 12.) Diplomas for exhibits having no competition may be
had by calling at the Secretary’s office.
Class A.—HORSES.
Lot 5.
Agricultural.
Stallion, 2 years
old and under 3. F. H. Conkright 1st, N. J. Thompson 2nd.
Mare, 2 years old
and under 3. N. J. Thompson 1st, J. R. Smith 2nd.
Class B.—CATTLE.
Lot 1. Shorthorns.
Bull 3 years old
and over. N. J. Thompson 1st, Bahntge & Co., 2nd.
Lot 7. Grades and
Crosses.
Cow, 2 years old
and under 3. N. J. Thompson, 1st and 2nd.
Heifer, 1 year and
under 2. J. R. Smith 1st, N. J. Thompson 2nd.
Heifer 6 months
and under 1 year. N. J. Thompson 1st.
Heifer calf, under
6 months. J. R. Smith 1st, N. J. Thompson 2nd.