The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-01-14
- MOaTUARy
Philemon S. Thompson.

lnls CITY, SUNDAY, january III, l5Vf dI
$50 a. M. aged 81 years 8 months and
"a days.
Deceased was born in Montgomery
county, West Va, April l6, 1916.
He was the son of Larkin and Eliza
beth Thompson and his grandparents
were among the first settlers of the
New River Valley at the cloSe.of the
Revolutionary war. He was u OF a
family of twelve children. all OF whom
are now dead except n brother.
John c. Thompson, who vas living in
the state of Washington when last
heard from.
Mr.. Thompson was by nature rest
less and an adventurer and explorer.
A full history OF hiS.life would fill a
good sized volume with reading mat
ter OF more than ordinary interest.
When he was Is years old he left
Virginia and went to Clarke county,
Ohio. He remained there one year
and then returned to Virginia. In
1887 he came to Marshall county, Ind.
and remained here almost three years.
In 1S4O, he went back to Clarke coun-
ty, Ohio and on the Sth day Of May
1910 was united in marriage with
Miss Priscilla Dye, who was his faith
full companion until his death, a
period Of more than SO years.
After his marriage he and his wife
remained in Clarke county, Ohio.
three years, removing to Marshall
county. Ind. in 1913. They resided
for several years about five miles south
west Of Plymouth and we're during
that time witnesses OF the murder Of
John Piper by a N an named, Shirley,
one of the most exciting tragedies
that ever occurred in the county. Mr..
Thompson arrested Shirley and had
him placed in jail.
In ls49 after gold was discovered
IN California, Philemon Thompson was
among the first to undertake the
journey across the plains aud over the
Rocky mountains where previous to
that time the feet of but few white
men had ever trodden. The company
that he was with crossed what was
then known as the great American
desert, passed nCrth Of the great Salt
Lake and entered California by the
Fremont route. The adventures and
exciting scenes of that long tedious
journey were always interesting when
told by him and would be a revelation
for the young men of the present.
He reached California in August
1850, spent nine months mining on
the st. Mary,s river, secured $4,000
in gold and returned by way of the
Panama route and was carried across
the isthmus on the back of a mule.
In 1859 he could no longer resist his
desire to see California again and he
moved to that state, remained there
until 1867, again returned to Marshall
county, settled on a farm northwest
of Plymouth. renamed there until
1886 when he went to the Black Hills
and took a homestead. Eight months
later he returned to his farm In West
township and in 1888 vas made j%anitor
at the court house. a position he filled
acceptably for four years. He then
moved back to his farm remained
there until December 1902 when he
and his wife came to Plymouth to
make their home with their daughter
where he died.
He was the father of seven children
four of whom are living. They are
Perry, the well-known travelling sales
man for many years a resident of this
city, Americas. living in South Da-
kota, Charles Fremont of Excelsior,
Washington, and Mrs. SearIes Of this
city.
Philemon S. Thompson was a pioneer
but he was a true gentleman He
had a smile, a hand shake and a kind
word for all whom he knew and his
hospitality was proverbial. AT his
home the siatch string was always
OUT"
He had been in failing health for
several weeks, but was confined to his
bed only a few days. He died calmly
and peacefully. Funeral services were
held at the residence at 2 O'Clock
Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev.
1. Rothenberger. The remains were
taken to the cemetery southwest
Of The city for burial.
Death OF . Confederate Heroine.
st. Louis. Jan. 11-Heart disease