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Subject: [ARIZARD-L] THOMPSON History - Baker, Meacheam, Cowen
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 21:09:11 EST

>From the book "A Reminiscent History of The Ozark Region" reproduced from an
1894 edition by O. C. Bailey Library, Hendrix College, Conway, AR. Copyright
1978.

William Thompson

The man from Tennessee has always been a potential element in the
civilization and development of Missouri, and in early days along the
woodsman's trail came men of all avocations and of every degree of social
life. No better blood ever infused pioneer life; no sturdier arm ever set
about the task of subduing the wilderness and no less vigorous mental
activity could have raised a great commonwealth, amid the unbroken elements
of nature, within the limits of half a century. William Thompson, who is one
of the pioneers of the county, is now retired from the active duties of life
and is living in peace and quiet at Billings. He was born in Williamson
County, Tenn., May 10, 1832, and is a son of Thomas and Lucinda (Baker)
Thompson, natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky. The parents moved to
Tennessee at an early date and there passed the remainder of their days. The
Thompson family is of Scotch-Irish and the Baker family of Irish descent.
Our subject was one of nine children as follows: Hugh, Elizabeth, Joseph,
Nancy, Richard, Alexander, Jane, William and Lucinda. Joseph, Alexander and
our subject were in the Civil War, while Hugh, Joseph and Richard
participated in the Mexican War. The only ones now living are Alexander,
Richard, William and Lucinda. Richard resides on the Wilson Creek
battleground in Christian County, and is engaged in farming. During his
youthful days our subject attended only private schools and when he had
reached mature years he married Miss Mary A. Meacheam, a native of Tennessee
and the daughter of Green and Elizabeth (Cowen) Meacheam. Mr. and Mrs.
Meacheam died in Tennessee and after marriage their daughter came with our
subject to Missouri. This was in 1854, and they settled in Dunklin County,
where they remained until 1856, when they moved to Greene County, locating on
Wilson Creek. In 1862 Mr. Thompson enlisted in the Home Guards at
Springfield and was on guard during the Wilson Creek battle. After this he
enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry of volunteers and served three years,
ranking as sergeant and taking part in the Marmaduke and Springfield fights.
He was disabled in the former fight, his horse falling with him and breaking
his arm between the elbow and wrist, but he was not discharged until the
expiration of his term. After this he followed farming and part of the time
was engaged in campaign after bushwhackers through Christian, Taney and other
counties, and was in many a skirmish and fight under that leader. Mr.
Thompson retired from active farm life about 1879 and came to Billings, and
part of the time since has been engaged in the hardware business. He has
also been engaged in general merchandising and the harness business, and has
been successful in all. He and his wife are worthy members of the
Congregational and Christian Churches respectively. They have reared five
children as follows: Joseph G., a farmer of James River; D. F., the county
sheriff; William, a painter of Billings; Ozias, clerk in store; Nancy, the
wife of Mr. Thornton. Since the war Mr. Thompson has been a Republican in
his political views, but previous to that was a Democrat. He is a G. A. R.
man and commander of Billings Post No. 266, and he is also a Mason, a member
of Lodge No. 379 at Billings. In 1875 he was elected to the office of county
assessor, served two years and has held other positions of trust. On the 4th
of January 1893, he fell and broke his arm in the same place where it was
broken during the war, and it had to be amputated. He is receiving a pension
from the Government. Mr. Thompson is the owner of real estate in Billings
principally, and is a wide-awake, energetic citizen. He is deeply interested
in all worthy movements and is at present building up Billings Woman's Relief
Corps No. 111, and also a soldiers' home, and is looking for a location for
the same at the present time.

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