BIOGRAPHIES - THOMPSON, James H., of Bourbon County, Kentucky born 22 November 1822, in Nicholas County, Kentucky s/o Henry THOMPSON Jr. (1782-1852) Mother: Mary WILSON (1790-1860)
JAMES H. THOMPSON, farmer; P. O. Millersburg; was born in Nicholas County, Nov. 21, 1822, about three and a half miles from Millersburg, where he now resides, to Henry and Mary (Wilson) Thompson; she born in Lexington about 1790, to James Wilson and a Miss Clark, who were very early settlers at that place; Henry Thompson, Jr., was born in the Sherman Valley, Pa., near Carlisle, in May, 1782, died in February, 1852; he was brought by his parents, Henry and Mary (McClintock) Thompson, to the farm now owned in part by the subject of this sketch. Henry Thompson, Sr., was one of the party of eighteen who settled in the vicinity of Millersburg in 1778, his tract of 1200 acres lying in the edge of Nicholas County. He it seems remained upon his land the principal part of the time after making the first settlement, in a rude cabin in the howling wilderness, being the only settler between Maysville and Lexington, and during the most troublesome time with the Indians, and the great massacre at the Blue Licks.
In 1783 he brought his family and remained upon the old homestead until his death. During his lonely life the Indians several times drove him off his land, and drove away his stock, and after bringing his family, his noble wife would stand guard while he plowed their little path of corn, and did other necessary work. They had five children, three of whom are living: Daniel, Robert and James H., who are the only members of the third generation in this part of the country. John, the oldest son, died in 1860, leaving children in Nicholas County; Mary married a Mr. McClintock, and died in 1859, leaving two daughters; James H. received his education upon the farm, and in the limited district school of his boyhood days and remained with his parents until their death, which occurred on the same day of the month, Feb. 15, he in 1852, she, in 1860. He remained unmarried until Feb. 11, 1862, when he was married to Miss Marilda Cheatham; born Jan. 13, 1846, to Forman and Louisa (Bradshaw) Cheatham, residents of Montgomery County, near Mount Sterling. By this marriage there have been seven children, three, of whom died in early childhood. Those living are: Brownie, born March 24, 1864; Robert, May 12, 1871; Jimmie, Aug. 29, 1875; and Elmo, May 2, 1881. Mr. Thompson is a highly respected farmer and member of the democratic party.
Source: William Perrin's "The History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky" pp. 518
