Bio: Thompson, J. B.

Contact: Janet Schwarze

----Source: 1881 History of Northern Wisconsin, pg. 1030

Biographical Sketch of J. B. Thompson.

J. B. THOMPSON, general store, Medford; was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1847. His father, in 1856, moved the family to Racine, Wis., where he remained till 1861 , when they went to Milwaukee; here he learned the shoe maker's trade. In 1865 he went to Waupaca Co. and opened a wagon factory with his father. Later he went to Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Missouri, returning to Milwaukee. In 1870 became to Medford, opening business as Van Ornum & Thompson. In 1851 assumed the business himself; his stock amounts to about S2,500 and has business $10,000 a year. In 1870 he married Miss Betsey Ann Rowen, of Northport, Waupaca Co. They have three children— Ida May, Chester Levi, and Luna Ann. Mr. Thompson belongs to the Temple of Honor.