D. F. THOMPSON, a farmer living on section 25, and also Supervisor of Kent Township, is a man whose biography it is a pleasure to read. He is one of those men who has won success by dint of his own energies. His parents were Frederick and Harriet (Funk) Thompson, who were born in Franklin County, Pa., where they married and settled, and where the father died March 3, 1884. The mother still survives. Frederick Thompson was a farmer by occupation, and had nine children, five boys and four girls. He was of German and Welsh extraction.

Our subject was the third child in the order of birth, and was born in Franklin County, Pa., Dec. 23, 1850. His education was received in the common schools, but he also attended Mercersburg College, in Franklin County, for one year. He also took a course in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He has taught school in his native county two terms, and three terms in Stephenson County.

Our subject lived at home until he was twenty years old, when he started out in life for himself. Farming has been his principal occupation in life. He lived in Franklin County, Pa., until the spring of 1871, when he came to Stephenson County, where he located in Kent Township and has since resided. The first two summers after coming to Stephenson County he worked out on the farm, teaching school during the winter season. The following year he rented land in Kent Township (the farm which he now occupies) and continued on it until 1883, when he purchased it, the same being the old homestead of David Erwin. He is now the owner of 140 acres of land, 125 of which is tillable.

Mr. Thompson was married in Kent Township, May 17, 1872, to Miss Fiana Erwin, daughter of David and Sarah (Rudy) Erwin, who were natives of Lancaster, Pa. Mrs. Thompson was born in Kent Township, Oct. 12, 1852, and has borne her husband seven children. These are Rollin R., Sarah H., Lottie M., Levi F., Nettie M., Wilson E. and Perry S. Lottie M. died when one year, eleven months and five days old.

Mr. Thompson was elected Supervisor of Kent Township in the spring of 1880, and has held the office continuously since that time. He also held the office of Township Clerk three years, and was Township Collector and School Director for several years. He is an attendant upon the German Baptist Church, and in politics, is a member of the Democratic party.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 624