Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson was born on December 13, 1835, on a farm in Berlin Township, Erie County, Ohio. He helped with the farm work and was a pupil in the Berlin Heights High School. At the age of 17, he began teaching during the winter months and attended Oberlin College the rest of the year. He later was a principal of the grade school of Milan, Ohio. Since the age of 17 he read law at home, gaining knowledge that secured his admission to the bar in 1860. In his first trial before a justice of the peace, in which an old and established attorney opposed him, he won his suit. He left Ohio in 1860 for Nevada, being influenced by an old friend, George A. Kellogg. George had left Ohio a few years earlier when his brother Dr. N. Alonzo Kellogg came as the first licensed doctor in Nevada. George studied law books and was an attorney when Frank arrived. At first, since business was slow, Frank taught part of the year to supplement his income. Miss Abby N. Price was also teaching in Nevada. Frank and Abby married in November 1862. In 1864, he enlisted in defense of the Union. He was honorably discharged on September 5, 1865, on a surgeon’s certificate of disability. He joined his wife and baby at his parent’s home in Ohio, enjoying a needed rest. In November, Frank and Abby returned to their home in Nevada. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Thompson entered into a partnership with Captain T. C. McCall, under the firm name of McCall and Thompson for the conduct of a real estate and law business. Together they worked diligently to get the business district to locate close to the courthouse, opposing the location around the south city square on the other side of the slough. Frank also made a trip to Chicago to get the railroad company to move the depot from 8th Street to 6th Street. Thompson was employed as pension attorney for about two-thirds of the veterans of Story County who sought remuneration from the government for back pay, bounty, and pensions. In 1876 and 1877, during the time of the erection of the brick courthouse when Mr. Thompson was county attorney, there were several important mechanic liens filed for foreclosure against the county. He was successful in his defense, both in the District Court and in the Supreme Court upon their appeal. He was postmaster for five years, served several terms as a member of the city council, and two terms as mayor. In 1900, he compiled the revised ordinances of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had six children: Kate, Frank L., Sylvia, Olive, and Clayton and Cora (twins). Their home was at 611 M Avenue. Mr. Thompson retired from active practice at 75 years of age, but he maintained an office as an advisory attorney. After over half a century as residents of Nevada, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson went to the warmth of Los Angeles. Frank died on December 11, 1917. Abby died on September 22, 1920.