Thompson Is Claimed By Death

The Daily Telegram., November 13, 1906

Death closed the mortal life of J. Hugh Thompson at his home on Clay street Tuesday morning at 8:20 o’clock after a long illness of a complication of diseases and many are the friends and acquaintances in the community who are made sad over his demise.

Mr. Thompson had been ill for a year and a half. The first of last October his health became so poor that he was forced to his bed which he did not leave until the final summons came Tuesday morning.

Mr. Thompson was the son of Thomas Thompson, deceased, one of the prominent and prosperous stockmen and farmers of Harrison County, and was 48 years old. The father was a member of the pioneer family of Thompsons who early settled in Harrison County. This family came from County Down, Ireland, to this county. During their early residences here the family spent each winter in the old fort at Clarksburg, as protection against the Indians, and many were privations and hardships they suffered while improving and clearing their land.

Thompson Family

Hugh Thompson, father of Thomas, became a noted Nimrod and killed many deer, bears and wild game and at the time made many friends among the Indians. Thomas Thompson’s maternal grandfather, James Gillis, was also one of the pioneers of Harrison county, also a native of Ireland, and was the first man to mine and sell coal in this county.

The history of the Thompson family during the early pioneer days of this county is very interesting. Thomas Thompson, father of J. Hugh, obtained his education under difficulties, as they had experienced in settling upon their land, for he was compelled to walk three or four miles through the snow during the winters to a rude log cabin school house, which was furnished in the primitive style and conducted by the old time pedagogue who labored under the delusion that “lickin ‘and larnin’” went together and were essential in the proper education of the youth of those days.

1855

In 1855 Thomas Thompson married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Jane Floyd, of Marion county, and to them seven children were given: Laura, wife of Charles O. Jackson, of Fairmont; J. Hugh, whose death is here noted; William K., of Bridgeport; John P., a civil engineer with headquarters located at Fairmont, who was graduated from the West Virginia State University; Lydia Jane Reynolds, wife of E. D. Reynolds, of this city; Edward Thompson, manager of the Bell Telephone company in this city, and Arthur, all of whom with the mother are now living.

J. Hugh Thompson was a cabinet maker and was considered an expert at that trade. He had always made his home in this city and for several years he was associated with Nathan G. Stealey, in the undertaking firm of Stealey & Thompson. He was a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows for a number of years and this lodge will have charge of the funeral services.

The funeral services will take place at the late home on Clay street Thursday morning at 10:30 o’clock. The Rev. S. K. Arbuthnot, pastor of Goff M. E. church, will lead the services. Burial will be in the I. O. O. F. cemetery.

Thompson Funeral

The Clarksburg Telegram., November 22, 1906

A large number attended the funeral of J. Hugh Thompson Thursday morning. Sevices were held at the late home on Clay Street led by the Rev. S. K. Arbuthnot, pastor of Goff M. E. Church, and the burial was in the I. O. O. F. cemetery. The Adelphi Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which Mr. Thompson was a member for a number of years, took part in the services and the ceremonies at the grave were conducted by them.