W. G. THOMPSON, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Cecil township, is of Irish descent, and the youngest son of William Thompson, who was born in Ireland. The latter immigrated to America in early manhood, first locating in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Penn., and married Miss Warden of that city, who bore him one child, Martha (deceased wife of Moses T. Glasgow, of Northwood, Ohio). This wife dying, Mr. Thompson married Margaret George, a native of Mt. Pleasant township, this county. They settled in Pittsburgh, Penn., where the father died in 1833, leaving the following children: Christina G. (wife of Thomas Slater, of Cecil township), H. A. (a banker, of Salineville, Ohio), R. G. (also in Salineville) and W. G. R. G. enlisted in the Sixty-third Regiment, O. V. I., remaining in the service about two years, when he received an honorable discharge. The parents were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. After the death of her husband the mother married John Slater, settled in Allegheny county, Penn., and afterward in Cecil township, this county, where she died. W. G. Thompson, youngest son of William and Margaret (George) Thompson, was born February 11, 1831, in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he lived until six years of age. When sixteen years old he began teaching, and continued the profession for many years in different schools in Allegheny county. He was principal of the Sharpsburg school for four years, and in 1858 moved to the farm in Cecil township, Washington county, which is now his home. On October 15, 1853, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Christina G., daughter of George and Jane (George) Robb, natives of Mt. Pleasant township, this county, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Thompson died in 1870, in Cecil township, leaving five children: J. S. (a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Utica, Ohio, married to Jennie Slater), Etta H. (a teacher in the Indian Mission at Fort Sill, Ind. T.), Lizzie E. (living at home), George R. (also at home) and W. T. Knox (attending college at Beaver Falls, Penn.). Emma Jennie, the eldest in the family, died in 1870 at the age of fourteen years, just one week prior to the death of her mother. After the death of the mother Mr. Thompson was married, August 15, 1871, to Lizzie C. Shane, a native of Allegheny county, and daughter of Henry and Margaret (Musser) Shane, who were born near Noblestown, same county. Both are now deceased, and the mother was blind many years before her death. W. G. Thompson bought a partially improved farm in Cecil township, containing 111 acres, which he has cultivated to the highest extent, and on which he has erected a commodious house and barn, put out shade trees, and planted a good orchard. After coming to Washington county Mr. Thompson taught three winters in Cecil township, two winters at Venice, and one in the home district, but he has devoted his principal attention to agricultural pursuits. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Chartiers township, this county.

Text taken from page 1077 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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