Knud Thompson was born February 2, 1850 at Christiania, Dane County, Wisconsin. He was the son of Tosten Olson who was born in Norway and came to Wisconsin in 1844.

In 1866 Knud left home and went to Filmore County, Minnesota, then in 1872 to Vermillion, South Dakota. He returned to Minnesota where in December 1876 he married Anna Odegaard, the twin sister of Mrs. John Syverson. These ladies were sisters of John T. Odegard. Mr. Thompson with Mr. Odegard as his partner started the first store in Cooperstown.

In the late fall of 1882 Knud Thompson came to the newly platted Cooperstown with his wife and two sons, Theodore and "Ade." They were the first woman and the first children of Cooperstown. His daughter, Grace, born in May, 1883, was the first girl born there. Both she and Oscar J. were born in the living quarters built into the back end of the store.

Source: Cooperstown Diamond Jubilee 1882-1957 Page 63