Genealogy Report: Descendants of John Thompson
Descendants of John Thompson
1.JOHN1 THOMPSON was born 1875 in Hermitage, Arkansas, and died August 1948 in Hermitage, Arkansas.He married ELIZABETH EDDINGTON.She was born 1881 in Hermitage, Arkansas, and died 1971 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Notes for JOHN THOMPSON:
John Thompson was born sometime shortly after the Civil War ended, in Ingalls, Arkansas. He was born free of slavery. John grew up very proud and strong on determination. He believed in working hard for your goals and this is evident in the accomplishments of his life. John was able to acquire much land and this was during a time in history when Black men were even more persecuted for their race. Especially since they were free to come and go as they pleased throughout the country. If they showed signs of independence, this made them targets of the "Jim Crow" attitudes and practicers. These types of feelings and sentiments were of no affect to John, and he amassed land, crops, a family, and respect from his neighbors.
After moving to Hermitage, Arkansas, sometime early in his life, he met Elizabeth Eddington. They soon married and had children. In this small community of Blacks, John became sort of the spokes person for the populace. Eventually he came to be known as, "Uncle John". His wife Elizabeth became, "Aunt Babe". These names were synonymous with their characters and spoke volumes as to the type of respect the entire community had towards them both. It was also in Hermitage where he met and befriended a Mr Daniel Wesley Owens. A man who had migrated from El Dorado, Arkansas, to live. Together they form a bond of solidarity that lasted for years. The two of them were concerned for the people of that town and the towns progress. They mutually agreed to purchase land and dedicate it as the burial place for the townspeople of Hermitage. That burial site is still active and remains a place of rest for members and descendants from that community even to this day.
Notes for ELIZABETH EDDINGTON:
Elizabeth Eddington was born in or around Hermitage, Arkansas, in 1880 or 1881. A tall lady, she was striking and known to be soft spoken, however, with a slight edge that let you know not to get out of line."Aunt Babe" became her nickname and it lasted for a long time. Even some of her children would call her by this name. After they were grown of course. She was the lady of the community. The one to talk to for advise.
Children of JOHN THOMPSON and ELIZABETH EDDINGTON are:
| i. | NORA2 THOMPSON, b. November 27, 1898. |
| Notes for NORA THOMPSON: NoraThompson was the first born to John and Elizabeth Thompson. She was born, November 27, 1898 in, Hermitage, Arkansas. You could say she had a dominant presence. She was a large framed woman with soft features. Stately is the best description of her physique, because she stood tall and proud. I imagine she learned to be self effacing from John and Elizabeth. Signs of all their kids knowing to be strong and vigilant was obvious in their demeanor. Aunt Nora was no exception to this rule. She married Mr Arby Thomas, Sr, and from this union, six children were born. Gladys, O.V. , Edna, Louis, Veotis, and Arby Jr.. |
| ii. | JULIE THOMPSON, b. 1900. | ||
| iii. | FREDIE U THOMPSON, b. June 06, 1903. |
| Notes for FREDIE U THOMPSON: Fredie U. Thompson was born, June 6, 1903, in Hermitage, Arkansas, to John and Elizabeth Thompson. He grew up in Hermitage and, over time, acquired the nickname, "Buddy". Uncle Buddy was tall and lanky and spoke with a slight southern accent. His voice was very distinguishable. There was no mistaking his identity when speaking, even if you weren't in the same room at the time, you knew his voice and that was enough to make the connection. He met, loved and married, Ethel Jones of Hermitage, Arkansas, on August 1, 1922. From that marriage they were blessed with twelve children. Lester, Annie B, Willie, Verlee, Fred Jr, Amos, Winford, Waymon, James, John Lee, Billy, and Jennifer. Uncle Buddy united with Calvary Temple Baptist Church where he became deacon. |
| iv. | OSCAR THOMPSON, b. May 05, 1908. |
| Notes for OSCAR THOMPSON: Oscar Thompson was born, May 5, 1908, in Hermitage, Arkansas, to John and Elizabeth Thompson. He was the second son of this union. Uncle Oscar was self sustaining. More of an entrepreneur. He owned and operated his own convenience store in Hermitage. Sort of the neighborhood market where all the locals would do their shopping. He met and married, Annie Mae Jones, of Hermitage. They were wed, December 18, 1925. To this union three children were born. Two of these kids preceded him and his wife Annie Mae in death. Uncle Oscar seemed quiet and unassuming, but this was not really the case. He could be quite different from his physical appearance. |
| v. | OLLIE RUTH THOMPSON, b. November 23, 1912, Hermitage, Arkansas; d. January 10, 2002, Malvern, Arkansas; m. DAN OWENS; b. May 16, 1901, Hermitage, Arkansas; d. March 14, 1984, Malvern, Arkansas. |
| Notes for OLLIE RUTH THOMPSON: Ollie Ruth Thompson was born to the union of John and Lizzie Thompson in the Santuck Community near Hermitage, Arkansas, November 23, 1912. Mt Olive was the name ofthe town. She was the second to the last child born to this couple. Her original middle name was "Jaruth". This name was no doubt of African origin and could be tied to someone earlier in either, Lizzie's or John's ancestry. My guess would be Lizzie's. I say this because of the memoirs shared later in my mothers life about my great grandmother, Mammie. Mammie was said to have quite a memory. She could remember Africa before being brought to the U.S., and she spoke about those times to her children and grand children. Mammie would design paper hats that resembled early African/Egyptian styles. Ollie Ruth learned to design these hats from Mammie and would make them for us. The paper had to be folded a certain way and the end result would be a hat that closely resembled something out of Africa/Egypt. Coming from a family that was spiritually motivated and believed in the Lord, one who participated in the church and its practices, she worshipped the Lordwith sincerity. Her church roots could be traced back to the early Baptist Church Doctrines. Foot washing, hymn singing, revivals, all these traditions were as much a part of her history as any one thing else. She was devoted to God's Word and practiced living her life committed to faith in Christ. Ollie Ruth taught Sunday school at her family church in the early days. Both children and adults learned the Word through her teachings and inspiration. Valuable lessons were learned by the students of this excellent teacher who I know took her work seriously. She loved kids, which would explain why she had no problem having a lot of them. As a teenager, she would baby sit her older siblings kids. Her brother Oscar and his wife Annie Mae's in particular. Sometime in her early years the nickname "Sang" was given to her. It's not clear who chose or why this name was selected, however, what is clear is that the name stuck. For fifty years or more, that was the name her husband called her. Actually, if you asked her kids when they realized her name was not Sang but Ollie Ruth, you may be surprised at the answers. On August 23, 1934, after a few years of courting this same man, Ollie Ruth said "I Do" to Dan Owens of the Owens family from Hermitage, Arkansas. She had actually known this man and his family since she was very young. Their marriage lasted for fifty years and in all, nine children were born from it. Ollie and Dan both dedicated their lives to the business of raising these children. Ollie and her husband moved to Malvern, Arkansas, in sometime in 1939. The year after their first daughter was born. They united with the First Baptist Church which was under the pastorage of Reverend B. Simmons. It was in this town that she utilized her talents. Ollie Ruth was a self taught seamstress. She would cut patterns, sew dresses and pants, blouses, etc for the neighborhood kids. Quite a good job of it I might add. The kids in the neighborhood would flock to the house her and Dan chose to live in. One big reason was the "tea cakes" she made. The aroma from these cakes would circulate throughout the blocks and the kids would come running. They loved Mrs Owens "tea cakes". From family to friends, Ollie Ruth tirelessly made sacrifice after sacrifice for the people she cared for and loved. She was the Mother of all Mothers. Her wisdom and foresight can take credit for a lot of decision making by her children, even to this day. |
| More About OLLIE RUTH THOMPSON: Burial: January 17, 2002, Hermitage, Arkansas |
| Notes for DAN OWENS: Dan Owens was the2nd son born to Daniel and Emma Owens' union. He was born May 16, 1901, in Hermitage, Arkansas. Early in his life, Dan learned to play the guitar. I imagine this talent was utilized in the family's church. He taught himself the strings and their tones. This talent motivated him to form a band that traveled throughout southern Arkansas and some of the surrounding states. Mississippi and Tennessee mainly. The band played local joints and kept the people of the various towns jumping. He was also intrigued with automobiles and learned auto mechanics on his own. He was ahead of his time in this field and it showed in the results of his work performance. I remember he would spend countless hours studying books on engines and auto piece parts, ordering from the Whitley catalogs. Staying up on the latest changes in design work, performance improvements, the nature of components and their purpose, etc. He could have easily obtained an engineering degree in auto mechanics had he been able to attend a college that offered the same. He was ahead of his time. His diagnostic techniques, ability to detect engine problem causes, predictability of future performances, all made him unique in the art of mechanics and a likely candidate for an engineers degree. Dan's ingenuity and basic instincts about cars made him stand out among his peers. They would bring their cars to Dan's house when there was a problem that was difficult to figure out. Dan was a strong believer in God and a avid reader of the Bible. He would often teach his children leesons from the Bible on Sunday evenings after church. A gifted storyteller, he made understanding the Bible's storys and their meanings simple. Occasionally he would reminisce about his early adolescence. Several stories stand out in my mind, but this one the most. At a very early age Dan acquired a car. A Ford Model "T" if memory serves correctly. One evening while driving down a country road, paying attention to the scenery and just enjoying the ride, a cow happened to be crossing the path the car was traveling. Before Dan could stop in time he was right upon the cow. He hit it. The cow stumbled across the road after being struck. The cow's owners were all out on the porch of their house and saw what happened. There was a few of them, no doubt the entire family. They all jumped up out of their chairs and started running towards the car. Dan was cornered by this small mob of people. In those days hitting a cow, which was the owners supplier of food and milk, was almost a crime. Once cornered, Dan was given an ultimatum. Work off the damages to the cow on the farm and leave the ford as collateral until the job was completed to the owners satisfaction. I'm not sure how many days this penalty was for, but I do know Dan only worked one day and never returned. The farmer kept the car. Dan's decision to leave it might be difficult for some to understand, but I think I do. The cow survived the accident, however, the car's value to Dan was far less than food for a family. In August of 1934 Dan married Ollie Ruth Thompson. Daughter of John and Lizzie Thompson. John Thompson was a very good friend to Dan's late father Daniel Wesley. Together Daniel and John acquired some land for a burial place for the families. Dan and Ollie Ruth's marriage lasted for fifty years. Half of a Century. From this union, a total of nine children were born. Dan moved his family to Malvern, Arkansas in 1939. There he joined the First Baptist Church under the pasturage of Reverend A. C. Wilchor. He became an active member and severed as deacon there for a number of years.He went to work for Reynolds Aluminum Company while living in Malvern and retired from there in 1968. Dan was a wonderful husband and father that was dearly loved by family and friends. As his son I can attest to this fact and I also know with certainty that he genuinely loved his family. |
| More About DAN OWENS: Burial: March 21, 1984, Hermitage, Arkansas |
| vi. | THEODORA THOMPSON, b. July 09, 1914. |
| Notes for THEODORA THOMPSON: Theodora Thompson was born on, July 9, 1914 at Hermitage, Arkansas, to John and Elizabeth Thompson. She was the last child born to this union. Theodora had the stronger resemblance to Elizabeth. Her facial features were very similar to her mother and they were alike in build. She marriedJohn Eagle Stewart early in her life. There were no children born to this union, however, they did name one of Ollie Ruth's children and simi-adopted her in name. Theodora was a member of the Calvary Church of God in Christ and served on its usher board. She was a Deaconess and member of the Chancel Choir. Active in the Church of God in Christ, Theodora remained faithful to the church for many, many, years. |