Obituary of T.F. Thompson

 

Thomas Flettre Thompson was born in Voss, Norway September 7, 1832 and died in Leland, Illinois January 1, 1908

 

He came to America with his parents Thormod S. and Ingeborg (Lydel) Flettre in 1844 and located in Norway, Racine Co. Wisconsin. At the age of 14 he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

 

Mr. Thompson remained in the family home in Wisconsin until 1852 then he left for Chicago, Illinois; his father moving to Leland in 1853 after his mother's death in Norway, Wisconsin. In 1854 Mr. Thompson went to Leland where he was in partnership for two years with A. A. Klove. After this he went to Atchinson County, Kansas where he and John and Ole Nelson of Chicago ran a sawmill for two years.

 

After his return to Leland he was employed for a time in a drygoods store owned by Hans Thompson. In 1861 Mr. Thompson and Thomas Iverson began to deal in grain at Leland and they continued to do so until 1866 when Mr. Thompson disposed of his interest and was for a time associated with C.F. Oakfield in the same business. He then moved to Creston, Illinois where for 8 years he was engaged in merchandising. Returning to Leland he formed a partnership with Knute Buland and bought the grain business of C.F. Oakfield who had died just before that time.

 

In 1883 A.N. Anderson bought Mr. Buland's interest in the business adding a banking department in 1896 until 1901 when they disposed of their grain business in the Neola Elevator Company and transferred their banking interest to the newly organized Farmers and Merchants State Bank of which Mr. Thompson remained an officer acting as president until his death.

 

As an acting Republican he served several terms as town clerk and also filled other important offices.

 

He married Caroline S. Satter daughter of Ole T. Satter on June 18, 1861. She bore Mr. Thompson 10 children and died deeply mourned in 1890. Six of the children are living. Louis T., Salters Depot, N.C., Stanley Oran, Cora M. and Mrs. Nellie Thompson of Leland, Mrs. Jennet Grover and Mrs. Charlotte Burke of Chicago.

 

Mr. Thompson was highly respected by all fellow citizens. Public spirited there were few movements for the public weal in which he did not at all times take a lively interest. The funeral was held from the Lutheran Church last Saturday afternoon and the large edifice full to overflowing with neighbors and friends  anxious to pay their last respects. Revs. J. C.  Roseland and H. K. Vernon of Leland performed the last rites both speaking feelingly of the deceased.