Thompsonh
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
HENRY THOMPSON. The most
successful and skillful mining men who operate and who have operated in
the United States are always men who have supplemented the information
gained from books by thorough, close and actual contact with minerals and
mineral deposits, and are acquainted with the processes of mining from
the prospector's trips until the metals are prepared for commercial distribution.
Such a man is Henry Thompson, and it is with pleasure that we grant space
for a review of the salient points of his career.
Henry Thompson was born on August 17, 1867,
in Douglas county, Minnesota, the son of Thomas and Caroline Thompson,
natives of Norway. They came from that country to the United States
in 1864, settling in Douglas county. They were the parents of three
children, our subject, Charles and Mrs. Carrie Rood. Henry received
a common school education and grew to manhood on the farm. He early
developed a love for mining and minerals and devoted considerable attention
to reading such periodicals and books as he could secure on the subject.
In 1885 he came to Seattle, Washington, and wrought at the trade of millwright
until 1889, when he crossed the Cascades to the Swauk district, where he
mined. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Thompson married Miss Laura Harrison,
and to them was born one child, Lauren, on September 11, 1893, and two
days thereafter Mrs. Thompson died. The next year Mr. Thompson came
to Loomis and did mining until the reservation opened in the fall of 1896,
when he came to the vicinity of Chesaw. He was one of the first men
who came to this locality and at once began to prospect and make locations.
He made several fine locations, among which may be mentioned the Bi-Metallic
group, which he still owns. He has done about eight thousand dollars
worth of development work on this property, which is distinctly a gold
and copper proposition and has a one hundred and twenty-five foot ledge.
He is also interested in several other propositions and is superintendent
of the Interstate Mining Company properties. From the beginning Mr.
Thompson was occupied with practical work in the mines and made a thorough
investigation from books and from every source where he could obtain knowledge
upon the subject. The result is that for twelve or fifteen years
of this experience and study he has come to be a thorough mining man, practical
in every respect. In addition to the duties mentioned above, he devotes
considerable time to experting mines and to reporting on them. He
has done considerable of this expert work and has been found skillful in
it.
Mr. Thompson married Miss Ida E. Gilespie,
and one child has been born to them, on August 6, 1901, Henry Thompson,
Jr. Mr. Thompson is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and also of
the Eagles. He is known as one of the substantial and reliable men
of Okanogan county.