Person:Peter Thompson (11)

Biography

From: History of Counties of McKean, Elk and Forest, Pennsylvania. Chicago, J.H. Beers & Co. 1890. Vol. 2, p.769

PETER THOMPSON, carpenter and farmer, P.O. Kersey, was born in Centre County, Penn., November 15, 1812, a son of Robert and Catherine (Wantz) Thompson, the former a native of Lancaster County, and the latter of Centre County*, Penn. They came to Elk County in 1824, locating upon a farm in Fox Township. Robert Thompson was a weaver by trade, but followed farming after coming to Elk County. He was one of the prominent men of his time, and filled various township offices. He died in Clearfield County, Penn., in 1868**, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Peter Thompson came to Elk County with his parents, and in 1836 married Miss Sally, daughter of John Kyler; she died in 1838 and he was next married, in 1842, to Miss Eliza Dixon, who died in 1845, leaving one son, Prochorus, of Warsaw, Jefferson Co., Penn. His next marriage was in 1846, to Miss Hannah Rogers, and by her he has ten children, viz: Elvira (wife of Alonzo Myers, of Ridgway, Penn.), Herbert (of Lake City, Minn.), Eugene (of Horton Township, Elk Co.), Gilbert (of Forestville, Penn.), Simon (of Brandy Camp), Reuben (of Horton Township, Elk County), George and Ida (at home), Eliza (wife of Daniel Clark, of Ridgway) and Ada (wife of Isaiah Bell, of Ridgway). Mr. Thompson has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has served as justice of the peace for fifteen years, also filled other township offices. He is one of the oldest and best-known residents of Fox Township, and has been a deacon in the Baptist Church for many years.

- * Catherine born in Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania, came to Centre County after 1800.
- ** 23 Sep 1869

Obituary of Peter Thompson

From the Elk County Democrat, Thu, Oct 28, 1897:

PETER THOMPSON DEAD--The Oldest American Born Man in the County Passes Away.

Perhaps the oldest American-born man in Elk County died last Thursday afternoon in the person of Peter Thompson, a respected and well-known resident of Fox Township. He was born Nov. 15, 1812, and consequently would have been eighty-five years old had he lived until next month. There are a number of older men in the county, none of whom, however, were born in this country and it is thought that Mr. Thompson could lay claim to being the oldest man in little Elk who was born in the United States. Mr. Thompson had been ill since July 3, 1897, suffering from old age and a complication of diseases and it was known that the end was not far off. His wonderful vitality, however, served him in good stead during his last hours and he was out of bed a few minutes before he died. He was born in Center <sic> County, Pa., and was the son of Robert and Catherine Thompson, the former a native of Lancaster County and the latter of Center County. His parents came to Elk County in 1824, and located in Fox Township, where the subject of this sketch has since resided--or a period of about seventy-three years. His father was a weaver by trade, but followed farming after he came to Elk County. Peter Thompson was married in 1836 to Miss Sallie, the daughter of John Kyler. She died in 1838. Four years later he married Miss Eliza Dixon, who died in 1845, leaving one son, Prochorus, now a resident of Warsaw, Jefferson County. In 1846 he was married to Miss Hannah Rogers. Thirteen children were the fruit of this union, ten of whom are living; Elvira, the wife of A. J. Myers, of Ridgway; Herbert O., of Lake City, Minn.; Eugene, in Potter County, Gilbert and Simon, at Brockwayville; Eliza, the wife of Daniel Clark, of Fox Township; Reuben J., of Tioneta; Ada, the wife of I.D. Bell, of Naylor, Mo.; and George and Miss Ida at home. Mr. Thompson was a carpenter by trade and a successful farmer who enjoyed the respect and confidence of his neighbors. He was a devout member of the Baptist church and served as a deacon for many years. In politics he was a Democrat and received recognition at the hands of the party of his choice. Among other positions he filled, that of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years ably and well. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at one o'clock conducted by Rev. Dean, the pastor of the Brockwayville Baptist church. The interment was in the Ridge Cemetery. His six sons acted as pallbearers.

1. ↑ Ridge Cemetery, in Find A Grave.

   Peter Thompson

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Leeson, Michael A. History of the counties of McKean, Elk, and Forest, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections. (Chicago, Illinois: J.H. Beers & company, 1890)
   Vol. 2 p. 769.

   see 'Biography'