Dr. Pierce & Sarah Ellen (Frederick) Thompson

Dr. Pierce Thompson was born 16 Nov 1837 or 1838 in Columbiana Co, Ohio, the son of Israel Thompson and Elizabeth Reep Thompson. He married Miss Sarah Ellen Frederick on 1 Jan 1864 in Columbiana Co. She was born 22 Feb 1839 in Columbiana Co, OH. Seven children were born to them. Dr. Thompson was educated as both a surgeon and a dentist. He also taught school for a time in Parke Co, IN before moving his young family to Missouri in 1879, residing first in Bates County and then moving to Vernon County in 1881. The Thompson family located to a farm east of Bronaugh where Dr. Thompson was a well-respected leader in his community.

Their children:

Wallace Seymour Thompson was born 27 Jan 1865 in Fairfield Township, Columbiana Co, OH.  He married Mrs. Alberta McClanahan McBride, widow of Sinuth McBride, on 11 Mar 1894 in Bronaugh, MO. She was born 9 Mar 1869 at Pleasant Hill, MO. Together they had three children. Wallace and Alberta Thompson are buried in Deepwood Cemetery, Nevada, MO.

Ora Anna Thompson was born 27 Mar 1867 in Columbiana Co, OH. She married Charles C. McMullen 18 Aug 1898 in Bronaugh, MO, and they were divorced 4 May 1900. She died 4 Mar 1916 in Bronaugh and is buried beside her parents in Worsley Cemetery near Bronaugh, MO.

Minnie Adell Thompson was born 27 Sep 1869 in Parke Co, IN. She married Charles O. Loud 30 Dec 1891 in Vernon Co, MO. They had three children together, the oldest being killed in the 1904 train wreck en route to the St. Louis World's Fair. She died 4 Mar 1912 and is buried in Worsley Cemetery beside her daughter and husband and her parents are nearby.

Clarence Adelbert (C.A.) Thompson was born 27 Sep 1871 in Rockville Township, Parke Co, IN.  He married Mrs. Nellie Sarah Loud Ream, widow of Calvin B. Ream who, along with their daughter Dicy, died in the train wreck en route to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, MO. Mrs. Nellie Loud Ream Thompson died 27 Feb 1912 in Bronaugh and is buried in Worsley Cemetery next to her daughter and first husband and near her parents. On 15 Feb 1919 in Montgomery Co, KS, C.A. married Ruey Bailey and they had two daughters, Lois and Marie. Ruey Bailey was the granddaughter of Civil War General Joseph E. Bailey who was sheriff in Vernon Co following the war and was murdered.  Ruey Bailey Thompson died 1 Jun 1935 in Bronaugh; C.A. died 17 Nov 1961 in San Bernardino Co, CA. They are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Scott, KS, near her parents and General and Mrs. Bailey.

Chauncey Lee Thompson was born 25 Sep 1873 in Parke Co, IN.  He married Miss Nellie Pearl Feller 4 Oct 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair, and they had seven children. Chauncey Thompson died 10 Jul 1923 and is buried in Worsley Cemetery.  His widow married 11 Jun 1953 to Forest L. Holland. Mrs. Nellie Pearl Holland is buried beside Chauncey Thompson in Worsley Cemetery.

Charles Morris Thompson was born 25 Apr 1876 in Parke Co, IN. Miss Elizabeth Rebecca Shaull became his wife on 17 Jan 1912 in Odessa, MO. She was born 5 Apr 1876 in Saline Co, MO and died 17 Nov 1925 in Bronaugh. Charles Thompson died 8 Aug 1963 and they are both buried in the Odessa Cemetery in Lafayette Co, MO.

Myrtle Mae Thompson was born 11 Jan 1881 in Butler, MO. On 6 May 1903 she married Henry Haunschild in Bronaugh, MO. He died in 1934. She later married Glenn Angel. She died 8 Feb 1955 in Los Angeles Co, CA and is buried in Worsley Cemetery beside Henry Haunschild and near her parents. 

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Following is the transcription of a handwritten manuscript regarding the Pierce Thompson family as related by one of his granddaughters to her daughter. Records show that some dates are incorrect; however, dates and spelling have been left in the form in which they appeared. [Notations by the transcriber are in brackets].

Pierce Thompson, M.D., D.D.S., orator, writer, political activist,

Quaker, farmer, family man, friend of all.

    Notes on Pierce Thompson as related by his grandaughter, Thelma Haunscheld Rhodes.

    Thelma spent alot of time in her young years with her grandparents.  She also spent alot of time at her Uncle Clarence's.  She lived there often to help with her blind Aunt Annie.

    Grandpa and Grandma [Pierce] Thompson lived at his son Clarence's [C.A.'s] for several years.

    Sarah Ellen died there; and shortly after, Aunt Annie also.

    Clarence had a lovely large home in Bronaugh, Mo.  In those days the upstairs was kept for guests and when needed, it served as an infirmary.

    After Clarence married Ruey [Bailey], Grandpa moved to a small house at the end of Bronaugh.

    In approximately 1912, for years he lived with His daughter Myrtle at Bertie and Seymore's hotel in Nevada, Mo. Claribel and Thelma [Myrtle's daughters] helped out and lived there also.

    He spent his last years with Myrtle in the rooming house Myrtle operated at 911 Hunter St. in Nevada, Mo.

    Pierce Thompson died of phneumonia one day before his 100th birthday December 25th, ___. (P Worsley - note - the censes says birth Nov. - also lists him as a farmer)

    Dr. Thompson was an intellect. He had articles published in the "Liberty" [Liberator] magazine. He spoke the "pure" English, (thee, thy, etc.)  Being quick of witt and subtle charactarized his sharp ability to "discuss," "debate" on a given subject.

    He was politically active in "Women's Sufferage", "prohebetion" and spoke out against the "Civil War".

    He ran for the State Legislature. (lost)

    President McKinley was a cousin of the Thompson's. (Sarah Ellen?)

    Grandpa Thompson was a Kind, generous (to the point of giving the literal shirt off his back) and strict man steeped in Quakerism.

    The government wanted him to serve as a surgeon in the Civil War. He refused. His brother died in the war. (north) Pierce paid $200 in his stead and declined to go to war.

    People wondered why this educated man led a quiet life tucked away in So. Missouri. It was said he left a good practice (medical ? dental) and a nice home in Ohio and came South for "His health's sake".

    Truth is the "North" wanted to hang him. (probably for speaking out against the War).

    An interesting story would be his youth and His early years at an Ivy League Medical school. (How - Why - When ?)

    Although educated as a medical doctor, Thelma said he told her he did not like the medical profession playing God! He preferred more natural healings. Thus he chose to limit his medical practices for emergency type, and "regular care" knowledge as needed and practiced dentistry.

    He refused medical care for himself; said of hospitals, "surely they would straighten thee out."

    After Ohio, He and Sarah first settled in Butler, Mo. (while they added onto their home in Bronaugh Mo.)  He established a dental practice there; Also Myrtle was born in Butler.

    Then the Thompson family moved to Bronaugh, Mo. (Vernon County) (Moundville township) He was involved in Real Estate.

    The Thompson farm set among mature walnut trees that lined the circle drive. The ancient Cedar in the front was so tall it could be seen for 12 miles across country.

    The land was bordered with old rock walls.

    Hugh walnut timbers formed the original log cabin. The very large fireplace burned whole timbers drawn in by horse.

    Pierce and Sarah Ellen built on to the cabin all around, making a lovely large 4.B.R. home.

    Later, when Pearl and Chauncy (Farm was given to Chauncy) lived on the farm, a wood-stove fire burnt the house down. The hard-woods took three weeks to slowly burn out. Thelma's family sadly watched the firelight from the adjoining Haunscheld farm.

    The house was rebuilt by Pearl and Chauncy. They reared their family there.

    Later in years the new owners (Comstocks, 1964+) cut the lovely old Walnut trees down, tore the historic rock walls down and sad to say---ran hogs in the old house.

    Grandpa Thompson practiced dentistry in the parlor of his home, he also had his library there.

    Thelma would "pump" the machine for his dental drill. He kept his medical/dental saddle bags at the top of the stairs gable cabnet. He rode horseback to care for his patients.

    Pierce and Sarah Ellen would serve together caring for the infirmed.

    As a child, - Thelma remembers her mother riding side-saddle cross-country to serve where needed; skirts flying as her horse jumped over fences. She [Thelma] and her husband Henry, often sat with the sick.

    Among Thelma's earliest recollections (1908?) [1907] (4 yr old) at her grandparents home, was setting by her great-grandmother Eliza Friedreck's bed. It was her duty to monotor her needs. She also did the same at her Uncle Clarence's for her grandmother Sarah Ellen and her Aunt Annie before they died.

    She remembers the little white pleated hat Grandmother Friedreck wore (thought to be Amish)

    Myrtle said she disliked the strictness of her parents lifestyle.

    When Thelma was studying "Hiawatha", her grandfather told her about her great, great, great-grandmother being an indian princess. They discussed this more than once. He said she was very beautiful. She was kept in seclusion, somewhat, and not spoken of. [If you have discovered this connection, please share.]

    He also told her of his ancestor that fought in the Revelutionary War. He was a famous inventor who perfected gun powder, invented baking powder (still can buy Rumford baking powder) and among other things, the first wood stove with flat top for cooking/warming, fireplace stove." [The link to Sir Benjamin Thompson/Count Rumford has not yet been found. If anyone has found a connection, please share your information because Count Rumford was truly a remarkable man.]

    It would be good to know about the "early years".

    Life is alot easier now, but not as charming.

Additionally, the manuscript asks many family history questions that descendants will want to research: religion, childhood, their grandparents' ancestors, heritage, etc.

Dr. Pierce Thompson and Mrs. Sarah Ellen Frederick Thompson

Worsley Cemetery, southwest of Bronaugh, Missouri

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