Smithson Thompson

Smithson Thompson, of Scotch and English ancestry was born in Canada, July 5, 1835. (Smithson served for a time as a gunsmith in Napoleon's army) His wife Elizabeth Wane Thompson was born in Germany June 29, 1837.

The family came by train from Canada to Dakota territory in 1881. From Barnes County Records he had three quarters.

Descriptions Bought
Southwest – 2-139-61 (Mansfield Township) May 23, 1884
Northeast – 34-140-40 (Potter Township) July 26, 1881
Southeast – 34-140-60 (Potter Township) October 20, 1882 - U.S. Patent signed by Chester A. Arthur

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson settled about a mile south of Sanborn. Eleven children were born to this union:

  1. Edward Charles born March 13, 1862.

  2. John

  3. Alfred

  4. Millie

  5. Minnie

  6. Clara

  7. Annie

  8. Jane

  9. Arthur

  10. Garfield

  11. Caroline

All these children were born in Canada except Garfield.

Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson died August 23, 1892. Mr. Smithson Thompson died December 24, 1899. They both are buried in Farview cemetery near Sanborn, North Dakota.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 247