MOSES H THOMPSON

CARLISLE 
CLIFF 
HOIT 
MILLER

The subject of this sketch has been almost a lifelong resident of Kane co., having come here with his parents in 1834, when but one year old.  His father, Captain Thomas H. THOMPSON came to Chicago in 1833, returning to Plattsburg, NY in 1834, and at once removed his family to Illinois, settling in DuPage Co., and from there removed to Fox river valley in 1835, settling in what is now Dundee township, Kane Co.  Like all country boys in pioneer days, Mr. THOMPSON remained at ome, working on his father's farm until 21 years of age.  
	
When wishing for a broader and better education than could be obtained at the public schools, he took a course in civil engineering, which profession he followed for many years, beginning in the Galena and Dubuque lead mines about 1858, and then upon government surveys and the early railroad lines west of the Mississippi.  About 1860 he concluded to abandon the engineering and surveying business and engage in map publishing, which he did, confining himself almost exclusively to county map work, being the pioneer publisher in the west to show the name of each land owner upon each tract.  This business was extended over nearly all of the northwestern states.  In Illinois alone nearly one third of the entire state was thus mapped.  These maps were made so thorough and complete that copies were added to many of the libraries of the most prominent geographical societies of the world.
	
In 1872, Mr. THOMPSON became connected with the Elgin Gas Light Company, as its secretary and manager, in which position he continued about 10 years.    He then became identified with the South-western Lunber Company, as president and manager, but after 4 years active management of the company's affairs, on account of ill health, it was determined to sell the property of the company, consisting of mills and pine lands in the state of Arkansas.  After this Mr. THOMPSON returned to Elgin, his old home, where he has since resided.  In 1864 he purchased one of the largest farms in Dundee township, from which time he has been largely engaged in the dairy business, and was among the first to make Elgin a pronounced dairy district.  He was the first secretary of the Illinois State Dairymen's Association and continued as such for several years, always taking an interest in whatever pertains to the dairy interest of the state of Illinois.  Mr. THOMPSON is now serving as president of the Elgin National Bank and has been since its organization in 1892.  He is also president of the Old Settlers Association of fox River Valley.  He is a member of the Lakeside, Century and Waltonian Clubs.  In politics he is a stanch Republican, hsi father Captain T.H. THOMPSON being one of the founders of that party.  
	
In 1862, Mr. THOMPSON was married to Miss Clarissa I. MILLER, daughter of David and Clarissa MILLER, and to them have been born 2 children:  Walter M. and Clara I.  Walter M. married Miss Elizabeth CLIFF, Dec. 16, 1885, and they have two children, Arthur C. and Kathryn.  Clara I. was married to John A. CARLISLE in 1891, and they now have one son, Donald T.  The parents of our subjec, Captain T.H. and Sarah HOIT THOMPSON were natives of Maine and Plattsburg, NY, respectively.  The mother is a daughter of Colonel Moses X. HOIT, who, as well as his ancestors, was among the foremost to make history during the American Revolution.  The paternal ancestors of our subject were also among the defenders of the rights of this country.


The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Ill  1898
pg 22

Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above
parties.

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