This is a picture of Hellen W. (Clark) Thompson and two of her twelve children.  Hellen was born 25 Apr 1833 in Manlius, Onondaga County, New York.  She was the daughter of Christopher W. and Catharine (Lower) Clark.  She married Morris L. Thompson 25 Dec 1849 with Elder Lyman Wright performing the ceremony.  Hellen died 28 Nov 1900 in Spencer Brook Township, Isanti County, Minnesota.  On her lap is her daughter, Ida A. Thompson, who was born 3 Jul 1853 in Manlius, Onondaga County, New York and died 3 Jun 1922 in Princeton, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota.  Standing beside Hellen is her son, Morris Allen Thompson, who was born 5 Feb 1852 in Manlius, Onondaga County, New York and died 5 Aug 1914 in Baldwin, Isanti County, Minnesota.  This picture was taken about 1855 or 1856.  There is no indication of photographer or location on the front or back of the picture.  The setting for the picture seems unusual.  At first I though that they were sitting in some sort of cart or wagon with part of a wheel showing at the bottom of the picture.  After examining the wheel a bit more closely, it appears to be some sort of stone.  Could it be a millstone?  I know that the father of Morris, Pardon Thompson, had a mill in Hartsville.

(Picture submitted by Charles Henrikson, great grandson of Morris and Hellen Thompson.  If you have any comments about the picture or connections to this family, please feel free to contact me at 6330 Waterford Rd. Madison, WI 53719 or email:  Henriksc@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu)