Decatur County Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, May 2, 1912 ISIAH THOMPSON, youngest son of ELIAS and JOANNA THOMPSON, was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 30, 1832, and departed this life at his home in Van Wert, Iowa, April 9, 1912, being at the time of his death 80 years, 2 months and 9 days. He grew to manhood in his native state and was married to MALINDA CLAYTON in Centerburg, Knox County, Ohio, September 15, 1861. To this union were born four children: CASIUS MONROE THOMPSON, who died in infancy, JOHN BROUGH, Mrs OLIVE LANTZ, and LEWIS CUMPSTON, all of Van Wert. Mrs. MALINDA THOMPSON departed this life September 28, 1903. He was again married in the fall of 1904 to Mrs. MARY COFFEE, of Leslie, Iowa, who with his children live to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and father. He came to Decatur County, Iowa, in April, 1865, and settled on a farm near Van Wert while the country was yet new and endured the many hardships of pioneer days. In the fall of 1900, he sold his farm and retired from farm life, moving to Van Wert where he lived until his death. For the past twenty-five years he has been actively engaged in the fruit tree business, being the trusted agent of the Mount Arbor Nursery, of Shenandoah. During all those years Father THOMPSON never forgot his duty toward his God and was ever ready to help the needy and visit the afflicted. He was one of the charter members of the Chruch of Christ at Van Wert, organized during the ministry of Josephus Porter now deceased. He has led an exemplary Christian life and will be greatly missed in the church where he was ever ready and willing to work for the Master he loved so well. During his last sickness, heart trouble, he suffered greatly, but bore it all with patience and Christian fortitude, speaking calmly of death and expressing his willingness and gladness to go and be at rest, himself choosing the minister, Rev. Preston, of Corydon, formerly of Van Wert, to deliver the funeral address also selecting a number of his favorite songs: "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and When the Roll is Called up Yonder," to be sung. The funeral services were conducted at the Christian Church, Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. By Rev. Preston, to a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends. After which he was tenderly laid to rest in the Van Wert Cemetery to await the resurrection of the just. ------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert January 10, 2010 [email protected]