Samuel A. Thompson.—Numbered among the successful agriculturists of Southern Kansas is the gentleman whose name introduces this article. He is a native of Iowa, born January 8, 1863 in Fayette county that State. His parents, Samuel A. and Martha Jane (Sherman) Thompson, were both natives of the Buckeye State, the mother being a member of that famous Sherman family, which has figured so conspicuously in the military and political history of the country. Samuel A. Thompson was one of a family of six children: Mary P. deceased; Amanda K.; Annis E.; Zachariah C., a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Frances A., and Samuel A., the subject of this review. Samuel A. Thompson spent his boyhood days on a farm in Iowa where he received his education in the public schools, and in 1883 came to Kansas, locating in Harper county, where he bought unimproved land, which he has improved and brought under a high state of cultivation, and now owns 480 acres, one and one-half miles east of the town of Harper, which is one of the most productive farms in the county. He is extensively interested in raising and feeding cattle and hogs, and is one of the largest alfalfa growers in Harper county. Mr. Thompson was married April 6, 1892 at Harper, Kans., to Miss Ida Gwinn, a native of Saline county, Missouri, born August 21, 1869. Her parents, William M. and Martha (Liggett) Gwinn were natives of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born, nine children: Harry, born August 3, 1893; Jay Leslie, born May 25, 1895; Reid Samuel, born March 21, 1897; Walter James, born January 17, 1899; Fay Helen, born January 3, 1901, died February 8, 1914; Alice May, born September 24, 1902; Martha Ellen, born November 10, 1903; John Marion, born September 12, 1911 and Roy, born September 14, 1913. The family are members of the Church of Christ, and are prominent in the community.