Thompson, Allege bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 643; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Allege Thompson, whose sketch we now have the pleasure of presenting, and whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is an Englishman by birth, having first been ushered upon the stage of life in Lincolnshire, England, January 29, 1815. He is a son of Alledge and Sarah Thompson, natives of England, and grew to manhood’s estate in his native country, commencing at a remarkably early age to cultivate the soil, and learn the principles of successful farming. His education was limited, but natural ability and a fondness for knowledge can more than atone for the lack of what is commonly called “schooling.”
Mr. Thompson was married in England on June 16, 1841, to Miss Annie Dawson, who was also a native of Lincolnshire, and whose birth occurred September 6, 1815. She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Pierce) Dawson, who were both English. The subject of our sketch together with his wife emigrated to America in the spring of 1851, taking passage in a sail-vessel on the 16th of April. After an ocean voyage of one month, they landed in New York City, and from that point came direct to Fulton County, Ill.
After reaching Fulton County, Mr. Thompson worked on a farm for a time, and afterward rented land, but was soon able to purchase eighty acres of fine land for which he paid over $300. He has continued to add to his estate, owning now one hundred acres, all of which is highly cultivated. Like most of the early settlers, he had to put up with numerous inconveniences, but finally made good headway, and has rapidly gained fortune and friends. He has been an eye witness to the wonderful growth of Fulton County, and noticed with pleasure how day after day capitalists came here attracted by the natural resources of the country and the culture of the citizens.
Mr. Thompson is a member of the Democratic party, and favors improvements of every kind, contributing liberally to the advancement of the same, especially in the line of religion and education. He has worked faithfully and prospered, and now when old age is staling on, he and his loved wife pass their days in peace surrounded by all the comforts of life.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are typical representatives of the sturdy English race, but recognizing the United States to be the most progressive country in the world, even ahead of their own native isle, the cradle of the Anglo-Saxon race, and the mother of the Colonies, they have never returned to England, and add much to the community in which they reside. And lives such as this, so full of success and happiness, should undoubtedly be taken as a model by the youth of the country, and they should learn from it that a pair of willing hands and an honorable intention to win in the race, nearly always bring one to the coveted goal.