HARVEY THOMPSON, a veteran in his connection with the business life of Mechanicsburg, is as widely and favorably known as any man interested in the affairs of this thriving town. For forty years he has been identified with its educational, religious and commercial interests, for long years as a member of the firm of Thompson Bros., and more recently as a retired merchant retaining his connection with the upbuilding of the town. Notwithstanding his marked ability in commercial transactions and his mental strength, Mr. Thompson is modest and retiring and treats all with whom he comes in contact with the most perfect courtesy.
John Thompson, the father of our subject, was born in Danphin County, Pa., in 1783. In 1802 he went to Montgomery County, Ky., and a few years later married Elizabeth Ferguson. That lady was born in Montgomery County, June 18, 1791, and celebrated her wedding, November 13, 1817. Tiring of their Kentucky home Mr. and Mrs. Thompson came to Illinois in October, 1836, and settled on a farm in what is now Mechanicsburg Township, this county. There they continued their residence until called from time to eternity, the father of our subject passing away October 14, 1855, and the mother in October, 1868.
Our subject was born in Montgomery County, Ky., February 2, 1820. Reared on a farm, he was obliged to be content with the meager schooling of the time in the rural districts, but with the energy and intelligence that characterizes him, he gained much wisdom as he grew older by observation and reading. He began his personal career as a farmer and in the brief time devoted to agriculture, acquired quite a landed estate. In 1849 he began business in Mechanicsburg as a merchant and continued to exercise his ability in that way for many years. It is probably safe to say that no firm has ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people than that of Thompson Bros.
In 1873, under the old firm name, our subject embarked in banking, a substantial building being put up by the firm for that purpose. The bank was a private institution, depending for its success entirely on the solvency and integrity of its stockholders. So well were they known that its success was assured from the first. He of whom we write retired from business by selling out to his brother, A. T. Thompson. This did not mean a loss of interest in the financial affairs of the town, for he still owns buildings, and is constantly adding new ones, as the demands increase. He is Vice-President of the Mechanicsburg & Buffalo Railroad, in the stock of which he and his brothers own a controlling interest.
Mr. Thompson was one of the principal instruments in securing the above named medium of travel, and here, as elsewhere he makes his influence felt, improving the line and increasing its facilities for traffic and transportation. Mr. Thompson has been connected with the civil affairs of the township as Supervisor and with educational matters as School Director or Trustee for many years. His religious membership is in the Church of Christ and he is an earnest worker in the Gospel field. Whatever he takes an interest in is pushed forward with zeal, and although he is becoming advanced in years, he still makes his influence felt in the various departments of life.
In 1844 Mr. Thompson was married to Mary B. Hughes, a native of Bureau County, Ky. Sometime after the loss of that companion he won for his wife Mary A. Patton, a native of Pike County, Mo., their marriage rites being celebrated in 1857. One son survives as the fruit of this union. This is Edward P., a business man of Mechanicsburg, who married Emma Huff, and has two charming children - Harvey and Ethel. The present wife of our subject was Mrs. Ruth A. Hubbard nee Davis, a native of Scott County, who became Mrs. Thompson in 1869.