The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-06-18
THOMPSON OF
RESTAURANT
! FAME Is DEAD
Succumbs to Illness of Six
Years Duration at His
Lake Forest Home
MADE LARGE FORTUNE
Belief That He Could Make
Better Coffee Started
Him in Business
MADE LARGE FORTUNE

Chicago, June l8.--(F-John X.
Thompson's belief that he could make
q better cup Of coffee than one served
him here in worlds fair days. start
ed him in the restaurant business
that netted him millions as he add
ed to his "One arm" string. it was
recalled today by friends of the late
capitalist
Mr.. Thompson died yesterday at
the Highlands. his Lake Forest
estate. after an illness of six years.
The profits gained from general
store in Vermilion county, Ill.,, sup
Dlied the initial capital with which
John r. Thompson made "a fortune
in zone arm" white tile cafetcrias.
The self-serve idea was not his.
out he capitalized it on such large
scale that today there is "Thomp-
sons" in nearly every large city in
he country.
Started Plan in 1891
In 1891. Thompson bought small
restaurant in South State Street.
chain of eating places. The restau-
rant was notorious for the number Of
times, and the speed with which, it
had been turned over" Thompson
told a friend the place must have
been a stock in trade" for Il chat
tel mortgage House. which, received
y substantial cash payment each time
the restaurant changed hands.
But Thompson turned the tide Of
that lunchroom's misf0rtunes--hc
paid off his moStgage and made
money. He added two Chicago res
taurants to his "string" in 1894 and
began Herewith phenomenal expan-
sion Of the catering business which
had no precedent As his busines
enlarged, he instituted quantity buy
ing and Standardization Of equip
ment
The John Il. Thompson company
was incorporated in 1907. A s6,OOO,-
600 corporation took over the bust
ness in 1914, although the controll-
ing interest remained with it's
founder. A group of 70 groceries in
Chicago, which Thompson started in
1920. was sold to syndicate in 1924.
His first 16 years spent on farm
in Vermilion COUNT ILL.,, where he
was born in 1865, Thompson attend
ed normal school and later opened a
general store in Fithian, near his
home. But in 1891 he sold the store,
married Rose Holloway Of George
town, Ill.,, and came to find a bust
ness.
Was in Politics
He served as Republican. county
committeeman for years and was
treasurer Of Cook county from 1907
to 1911. After being defeated in the
Chicago mayoralty race, he retired
from politics in 1912 at his wife's
request. He was warm supporter
of Theodore Roosevelt in the latter's
Bull Moose campaign.
During the World War he executed
several confidential missions for the
Emergency Fleet corporation of the
shipping board. National attraction
was brought him when, in 1921, he
advocated cessation Of the manufac-
ture and sale of pistols, offering
$1,000 to any person who would show
him "why they should be Sold"
Announcing he would build 22-
story hotel, at q cost of between five
and six million dollars, for the ac-
comm0dation of the rural merchant
when he came to town, Thompson in
1922 purchased corner site in Chi
cago's downtown business district.
A few years later plans were still
pending for the building, but it was
announced the hotel would be erected.
Breeder Of Horses
Until 1924 Thompson owned large
breeding farm at Libertyville. Ill.,,
where his string of horses, most of
them sired by Azoff, were trained.
He took many horse show ribbons
and race track purses with his
thoroughbreds.
Frank Halls "The Laughing Man
dolin Player" for which he paid
S2b0,OOO, topped his distinctive collec-
ton of canvases, chiefly paintings
of the Italian Renaissance school.
His art works were valued at nearly
$1,0OO,O0O.
He had two daughters, Florence H.,
and Ruth E. His son John r. III
in late years looked after most of
his fathers business affairs.