WI BIO - Dane Co - THOMPSON, S. W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 465-466

S. W. THOMPSON, a farmer on section 12, Burke Township [Dane County, WI], was 
born in the town of Bristol, Addison County, Vermont, 20 April 1823. His 
father, Solomon [THOMPSON], was born in Connecticut, and there learned the 
trade of shipbuilding. Later he went to Vermont with his wife and two 
children, making the removal with teams. He [Solomon THOMPSON] resided in 
the town of Randolph [Orange County, VT] for a time, then moved to 
Starksborough [Starksboro, Addison County, VT], thence to Bristol Flats, 
Addison County [VT], bought an improved farm, and resided there until his 
death, in 1830. The maiden name of the mother of our subject [wife of 
Solomon THOMPSON] was Clarissa WALDO, who was born in Connecticut and spent 
her last years on the home farm in Bristol.

Our subject [S. W. THOMPSON] received his early education in the district 
school, advanced by attendance at the high school at Bristol [Addison County, 
VT]. In his younger days there were no railroads or canals, consequently no 
convenient markets, the people living chiefly off the products of their 
lands. The father raised flax, kept sheep, and the mother used to spin and 
weave, and dressed her children in homespun clothing made by her own hands. 
Our subject [S. W. THOMPSON] lived with his mother until the age of fourteen, 
and from that time on cared for himself. He obtained his start in life by 
working on the farm by the month and so continued until 1846, then with his 
bride came to Wisconsin, via the most convenient and expeditious route at 
that time. They [Mr. and Mrs. S. W. THOMPSON] started on 20 April [1846] 
from Vergennes [Addison County, VT], via Lake Champlain to Troy [NY], thence 
by Erie Canal to Buffalo [Erie County, NY], thence by lakes to Milwaukee 
[Milwaukee County, Territory of Wisconsin]. There were thirteen who wished 
to come to Dane County [WI], and together they employed a teamster to bring 
them here. The roads were in a very poor condition and the men walked a good 
portion of the way. They finally arrived at Sun Prairie [Dane County, 
Territory of Wisconsin] 20 May [1846], just one month from the time they 
started. [This computes to an average of less than two and a quarter miles 
per day to cover the distance from Milwaukee to Sun Prairie.] At that time 
the country was very sparsely settled, and much of the land was owned by the 
Government. Deer and other wild game were plentiful. Our subject soon 
purchased a tract of land, now included in his present farm. A log house and 
ten acres broken constituted the improvements. The family moved into the log 
house and occupied it for ten years. He has placed all his land under 
cultivation, has erected a substantial brick house, frame barn, has planted 
fruit and shade trees, and otherwise improved the property. For some years 
after he [S. W. THOMPSON] came here, there were no railroads and Madison was 
simply a village. He did all his farm work and marketing with oxen, in fact, 
he used to take his family to "meeting" and visiting with an ox team.

He [S. W. THOMPSON] was married on 18 March 1846 to Miss Sarah M. COLLINS, 
who was born in Monkton, Addison County, Vermont, 18 July 1822. Her father, 
Alson COLLINS, was born in the same town, and her grandfather, Daniel 
[COLLINS] was born in Milford [New Haven County], Connecticut, while her 
great grandfather, also Daniel COLLINS, as far as known, was a lifelong 
resident of the Nutmeg State [Connecticut]. The grandfather [Daniel COLLINS] 
was one of the pioneers of the town of Monkton [Addison County, VT], where he 
located when a young man, purchasing a tract of timber land and improving a 
farm which he occupied many years. He [Daniel COLLINS, the grandfather] 
spent his last days in the village of Monkton. The maiden name of his 
[Daniel COLLINS'] wife [the paternal grandmother of Mrs. THOMPSON] was Sarah 
SMITH, a lifelong resident of Monkton.

The father of Mrs. THOMPSON [Alson COLLINS] was a farmer and a lifelong 
resident of Monkton [Addison County, VT]. The maiden name of the mother of 
Mrs. THOMPSON [Mrs. Alson COLLINS] was Jerusha HARDY, born in Monkton, a 
daughter of Silas HARDY, who was formerly a resident of New Hampshire, who, 
accompanied by his wife [Polly (FLAG) HARDY], removed from that State to 
Vermont, making the journey on horseback. They [Silas and Polly (FLAG) 
HARDY] were early settlers in the village of Monkton. He [Silas HARDY] 
bought timber land, built a log house in the wilderness, and lived there 
until he died. The maiden name of his [Silas HARDY's] wife was Polly FLAG, a 
native of New Hampshire, and she died in Monkton. The mother of Mrs. 
THOMPSON [Jerusha (HARDY) COLLINS] was a lifelong resident of Monkton 
[Addison County, VT].

Mr. and Mrs. THOMPSON [S. W. and Sarah M. (COLLINS) THOMPSON] have five 
living children: Nettie, Charles H., George E., Elmer E., and Harvey L. Mr. 
and Mrs. THOMPSON are members of the Congregational Church. He was formerly 
a Whig, but has been a Republican since the formation of the party [1854]. 
This is a fine old New England family, and they enjoy the respect and esteem 
of all who come in contact with them.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly