Zachariah C. Thompson, a prominent citizen of Harper county, is a native of the Hawkeye State. He was born June 13, 1860 on a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, and is a son of Samuel A. and Martha Jane (Sherman) Thompson, the latter being closely related to the famous Sherman family of Ohio. Samuel A. Thompson and his wife were both natives of Ohio, where they were married in 1852, and the same year removed to Iowa. They were the parents of six children: Mary P., deceased; Amanda K.; Annis E.; Zachariah, the subject of this sketch; Frances A. and Samuel A., a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Zachariah C. Thompson received his education in the public schools of Fayette county, Iowa, and in 1882 came to Kansas, locating in Harper county where he has since made his home. He first bought 160 acres of unimproved land, four miles east of Harper, and had added several hundred acres to his original holding. He is a scientific farmer, employing modern methods in the operation of his farm, and has been unusually successful. His farm is a model of convenience, with all up-to-date improvements. He has a splendid modern residence, and in 1912, he built, what is said to be the most modern barn in the State, at a cost of $5,000, constructed of cement on a circular plan, with two silos in connection. This barn has a capacity of 400 tons of hay, 6,000 bushels of grain, and stall room for 100 head of cattle and twenty horses. Mr. Thompson is an extensive cattle raiser, specializing in Jerseys and Herefords, and is one of the most successful men in this line in Southern Kansas. He was united in marriage March 3, 1887 to Miss Lydia K. Gwinn, a native of Saline county, Missouri, born June 13, 1866. She is a daughter of William M. and Martha (Liggett) Gwinn, both natives of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born eleven children: Charles Ray, born January 15, 1889; William G., born July 31, 1891; Zachariah C., born June 19, 1893; Alma M., born March 13, 1895; Alfred E., born November 24, 1896; Maurice McKinley, born June 7, 1898; Martha, died in infancy; Samuel Archie, born September 16, 1901; James Allen, born May 10, 1903, and Florence May, born September 17, 1906. The family are members of the Church of Christ, and Mr. Thompson's political affiliations are with the Republican party. He has never sought political honors, but has held various local offices of responsibility.