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Description
Portrait of an older John W. Thompson Sr., taken ca. 1893 Mrs. John W. Thompson Sr. (grandfather of Fay Miller). Mr. John W. Thompson of Quincy, he was one of the commissioners who formed Plumas County from a portion of Butte County. Born in Bethel, Ohio July 1, 1829, son of McKendre and Mary Amy McClain Thompson- both parents died when he was but two years of age. He was raised by an uncle, Lee Thompson, of Point Pleasant, Ohio. Came to California via Panama Route in 1850 and that fall came to Nelsonville (Nelson Point) where he opened a store and boarding house until 1858, in the meantime purchasing the Illinois Ranch in American Valley. During this time Plumas Co. was made into a separate county out of part of Butte Co.- and Mr. Thompson was appointed as one of tree commissioners to act on behalf of its organization. In 1862, September 4, he was married to Mrs. Rhoda (Cunningham) Graham, a widow of Wm. D.R. Graham, who had died, leaving her and her infant son, Wm. D.R.- names for his father. Three children, Carrie M, wife of W.J. Miller, Rhoda A, and John W. Thompson, mining engineer, graduate of University of Nev. Mr. Thompson Sr. died March 11, 1905.
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