California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


  JOHN THOMPSON. Recent years have witnessed the subdivision of many large tracts of grain land into 
small fruit farms, and the property which Mr. Thompson acquired by purchase in 1902 forms an 
instance of this nature. Three years after buying the land he moved thereto, hence is a newcomer in 
his vicinity, but possesses thorough familiarity with the soil, climate and the fruit-growing business, 
and is in every respect sufficiently experienced to justify the belief that he will reap success in his new 
venture. By birth he is of English nationality, born in Yorkshire, March 4, 1865, being next to the 
youngest in a family of four sons and four daughters who lived to mature years. His parents, Thomas 
and Jane Ann (Tindall) Thompson, were born, reared and married in England, and there continued to 
reside until death, the father following during all of his active life the occupation of a boot and shoe-
maker. 

Until nine years of age John Thompson attended public school, but at that time he was put to work 
and had no further opportunities for acquiring an education. The wages which he received were the 
smallest, being but $15 per year, and his work the most arduous and wearing, but with the optimism 
of youth he endured hardships with a cheerful face and steadfast heart. At the age of seventeen 
years he came to the United States in the hope of bettering his condition. At first he settled near 
Jacksonville, Ill, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. During 1885 he came to California 
and established his headquarters at Fresno, meanwhile working as a farm hand wherever opportunity 
offered. In those days he had many discouragements, though he found steady employment as soon 
as he was located. Finally he was fortunate in securing employment in orange orchards with F. G. 
Berry, under whom he remained for fourteen years as a permanent assistant, in full charge of 
Orangedale, a farm of seventy acres under cultivation to citrus fruits. With the savings of those years 
he purchased the property which is now his home, comprising twenty acres three and one-half miles 
northeast of Sanger in Centerville district, in a locality adapted to fruit culture. Here he has a vineyard 
of fourteen acres, besides two acres in oranges, two acres in peaches and two in alfalfa. A neat 
residence adds to the homelike attractiveness of the fruit farm, and it is the owner's hope to make 
other improvements from time to time, as his means permit. 

After coming to California Mr. Thompson remained a bachelor for fifteen years. In 1900 he was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary Lizzie Weldon, a native of Texas, and by this union there are two children, 
Fulton G. and Fannie Lois. Besides his home place Mr. Thompson is interested in the Del Rey packing 
house. Fraternally he is connected with various organizations, including the Knights of Pythias at 
Fresno, and in political affiliations he sympathizes with Republican issues and principles. Industry' and 
perseverance have helped him out of poverty into a position of independence. A high sense of honor, 
displayed in transactions of every nature, has brought him the confidence of associates. Being of a 
quiet and home-loving disposition, when other duties permit he finds his greatest happiness in his 
home and the society of wife and children ; notwithstanding this, he neglects no duty as a citizen, but 
in his new home, as in former locations, may be depended upon to support movements for the 
benefit of the people.