W. S. THOMPSON, a prominent farmer of Mt. Pleasant township, is a son of Allen Thompson, who was a son of Allen Thompson, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, who, when a young man, came to Washington county. About the year 1812 Allen Thompson (1) was married to Martha Lindsay, and, settling on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township adjoining the present home of W. S. Thompson, passed his life in the county. His wife died in 1871. Allen Thompson, son of the pioneer Allen, was born in February, 1824, on the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township, where he remained during his boyhood. In 1848 he was united in marriage with Mary Jane Griffith, who was born in June, 1827, in Chartiers township, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Boone) Griffith. Samuel Griffith was born in Maryland, and when a boy came with his parents to Buffalo township, this county. He was married in Chartiers township to Elizabeth Boone, a native of Delaware, and settled in Chartiers township, this county, where he died in 1869 at the age of seventy years. In 1888 his wife was laid to rest by his side. They were both members of Miller's Run Presbyterian Church. In 1849 Allen Thompson and his young wife came to Mt. Pleasant township, settling in 1852 on the home farm, which was then owned by one Guthrie. Three children were born to this couple: Nancy M. (married to James Kerr, of Chartiers township, this county), W. S. (subject of this sketch) and Martha Elizabeth (wife of Hamilton Crawford, of North Strabane township). The father followed carpentering and farming in Mt. Pleasant township, afterward moving to Cecil township, this county, where he died in 1853. He was a member of Miller's Run Presbyterian Church. In 1872 his widow (who is yet living) was married to William Hays (a native of Chartiers township), who died in April, 1881. W. S. Thompson was born February 22, 1851, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and was educated in the McNary's district school in Chartiers township. In 1878 he was married to Mattie Henry, a native of Cecil township, and daughter of Samuel and Martha (McConnell) Henry, also natives of Cecil township, this county, who died many years ago. After his marriage W. S. Thompson remained in Chartiers township until 1880, when he bought eighty-two acres of land in Mt. Pleasant township, where he has since resided; he has made many improvements, and erected a good house and barn upon the farm. His wife died in 1883, leaving two children to mourn her death: Lizzie M. and Mattie Henry. In 1885 Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Belle Barnett, a native of Chartiers township, daughter of Ephraim Barnett. The latter was born and reared in Chartiers township, this county, and was married to Sarah Willard, a native of Cecil township, this county. They lived in Chartiers township, where Ephraim Barnett died in 1876; his widow is yet living on the homestead. W. S. and Belle (Barnett) Thompson have had one child, Boyd Barnett. Mr. Thompson is a Republication, but casts his ballot for the best man, regardless of party preferences. In religious connection he and his wife are members of Miller's Run Presbyterian Church, in which he is a ruling elder.

Text taken from page 832 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Marsha Richins of Columbia, MO as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]