Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
GEORGE R. N. THOMPSON has achieved
a success in the western country that may well inspire commendation and
be a source of pardonable pride. He has demonstrated a practical
judgment and an ability in financial matters that have won the way to the
possession of a magnificent estate, and a comfortable fortune which insures
that retirement from activities of business in later years which is so
acceptable to all. He came to the west without a dollar and in fact
in the possession of some debts as a dampner in effort. He determined
to win the smiles of dame fortune and has done it by wisdom and industry,
so successfully, that he has secured possessions which place him as one
of the leading property owners of Adams county.
George R. N. Thompson was born in Missouri,
an April 16, 1864, the son of George W. and Mary M. (Ball) Thompson.
The father was a pioneer of Missouri and during the Civil war was one of
the Home Guard. His death occurred on September 19, 1863, after having
spent a good life and won many friends and the respect of those who knew
him. The mother was born in Missouri and came to Starbuck, Washington,
in 1891, where she still resides. George was reared in Missouri and
in the common schools secured his education. His youth was spent
much the same as that of the ordinary lad in his country and when he arrived
at manhood's estate, he had learned the common branches well and knew how
to perform general work and handle a farm. With these qualifications,
he began life for himself and labored for wages for a time. In 1884,
he determined to try the west and being of an energetic spirit, he at once
went to California. Some time was spent in learning of that country
and working for wages. It was on November 4, 1884, that he came to
Columbia county, that being the date of his landing there. He worked
for wages and so well did he take advantage of his opportunities that in
two years more he was buying wheat at Relief station in that county.
Then he dealt in cattle and horses and gradually got into the stock business.
In 1896, he came to Adams county and purchased land and to this he has
added until he has at this day twenty-five hundred and sixty acres of land.
This magnificent domain is utilized both for grain raising and for stock
breeding and he is a very successful man in both of these lines.
The estate is located a few miles northeast from Washtucna and is one of
the choice one of the country. Mr. Thompson is to be congratulated
on his gatherings and it is well to call attention to the fact that it
is not some turn of "luck" as some state when a man gets the reward of
his labors, but it is the result of his farseeing wisdom and improvement
of the opportunities that presented themselves and which he sought out.
Mr. Thompson has won the admiration and respect of the people and stands
well at this day. He is one of the leading and influential men of
the county and has gained this distinction by reason of his worth and his
integrity.
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