Robert A. Thompson. One of the most original minds in Henry County is that of Robert A.
Thompson. Though quite a young man, and having received but a limited education, his genius
and inventive mind are placing him among those who are public benefactors, through the means
of his various labor saving inventions. He was born in Clarke County, Illinois, November 15,
1851, and is the fifth of ten children, four of whom are living, James, John D. and Melissa, now
Mrs. Labaugh. His father, Robert Thompson, was a native of the North of Ireland, and his
mother, formerly Margaret Birney, was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, where they were
married March 23, 1841. In the same year they came to Clay County, Missouri, and after living
there six years returned to Clark County, Illinois. Entering land he lived there six years, when he
came to Henry County, in 1854. He has entered nearly 800 acres, and also owns 320 acres in
Hickory County. Mr. Robert Thompson enlisted in the Seventh Missouri during the war, and
participated in the battle of Lone Jack, where he received six wounds, and was discharged at
Greenfield in February, 1863. Robert A. Thompson was married January 23, 1879, at Clinton, to
Miss Mary C. McGrath, daughter of James McGrath, born February 10, 1858, in Jo. Daviess
County, Illinois. They have two children, Anna Belle and Robert James. Mr. Thompson, being
naturally of an inquiring disposition, closely noticed various labor saving inventions, and in the fall
of 1881 he began to experiment with a three horse equalizer, and has secured a patent on his
invention. It has been pronounced the most complete equalizer ever patented. He has, also, a
model for a corn planter attachment, for the check rower, which will obviate the necessity of a
check line. He is also at work on a riding plow attachment which places the plow in front of the
wheels. Other minor inventions are receiving his attention. He, as was his father, is identified with
the M. E. Church, and in politics is a Republican.
Thompson. Though quite a young man, and having received but a limited education, his genius
and inventive mind are placing him among those who are public benefactors, through the means
of his various labor saving inventions. He was born in Clarke County, Illinois, November 15,
1851, and is the fifth of ten children, four of whom are living, James, John D. and Melissa, now
Mrs. Labaugh. His father, Robert Thompson, was a native of the North of Ireland, and his
mother, formerly Margaret Birney, was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, where they were
married March 23, 1841. In the same year they came to Clay County, Missouri, and after living
there six years returned to Clark County, Illinois. Entering land he lived there six years, when he
came to Henry County, in 1854. He has entered nearly 800 acres, and also owns 320 acres in
Hickory County. Mr. Robert Thompson enlisted in the Seventh Missouri during the war, and
participated in the battle of Lone Jack, where he received six wounds, and was discharged at
Greenfield in February, 1863. Robert A. Thompson was married January 23, 1879, at Clinton, to
Miss Mary C. McGrath, daughter of James McGrath, born February 10, 1858, in Jo. Daviess
County, Illinois. They have two children, Anna Belle and Robert James. Mr. Thompson, being
naturally of an inquiring disposition, closely noticed various labor saving inventions, and in the fall
of 1881 he began to experiment with a three horse equalizer, and has secured a patent on his
invention. It has been pronounced the most complete equalizer ever patented. He has, also, a
model for a corn planter attachment, for the check rower, which will obviate the necessity of a
check line. He is also at work on a riding plow attachment which places the plow in front of the
wheels. Other minor inventions are receiving his attention. He, as was his father, is identified with
the M. E. Church, and in politics is a Republican.
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| ROBERT A. THOMPSON |