Hon. William L. Thompson is a man of decided popularity among the people of Nez Perces County and he deserves the same for he has been a laborer here for many years, has demonstrated himself to be possessed of keen business ability, has manifested upright principles and integrity and has shown forth in sterling worth in all his ways. William L. Thompson was born in Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa, on July 18, 1857, being the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Willis) Thompson, natives of Ohio. The father was born in 1820 and died in 1892. The mother was born in 1822 and is still living. Our subject was reared in his native place and labored on the farm and attended school, then earned money by teaching to gain an academic course at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and then earned more to put him through the scientific course in the Valparaiso school in Indiana. He followed teaching until he was twenty-seven and then set out on the journey to the great west. He finally landed in Nez Perces County and finding resources and surroundings congenial and to his liking he settled on a piece of land about three miles west from where Morrow now stands and set to the task of building a home, farming, and raising stock. He has been eminently successful in these worthy endeavors and has a fine well improved farm and considerable stock. The estate is a half section and a valuable piece of land. Mr. Thompson located the town site of Morrow in 1896, started a store and soon had a post office and since that time has continued as postmaster to the entire satisfaction of all. He has been active and influential in putting the educational affairs of the section in good shape both in this district and where his land is situated. Mr. Thompson sold his mercantile establishment in 1900, and since then has devoted himself to his stock and farms. He has twice been elected by the people to represent Nez Perces County in the state legislature, once in the time when Latah was set off, and once in 1894. He served his constituency to their entire satisfaction and demonstrated his ability in the halls of legislation as he had done in the quieter walks of life here. On October 1, 1888, Mr. Thompson married Miss Estella, daughter of Hayden and Barbara Smith. The wedding occurred in Cottonwood. Mrs. Thompson was born in California on June 4, 1870, and has three brothers: W. S., J. H, and C. S., all in Nez Perces County. Mr. Thompson has the following named brothers and sisters: Mary Harkness, Nancy J. Armstrong, Laura E. Gimes, Martha L. DeGarmo, Olive C. Porter and Oliver, twins, J. F. Seven children were born to this worthy couple; Vieva, Voss, Volney, Vaguno, Vester, Verea and Vivian. Mr. Thompson was instrumental in establishing the Institute lodge of the I. O. O. F. in Morrow. His wife is a member of the Christian Church and Mr. Thompson takes great interest in building up the Church and helping in general progress.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903