Richard J. Thompson
Richard J. Thompson, farmer, P. O. Ravenna, was born January 13, 1809, in Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass. His parents, Isaac and Polly (Campbell) Thompson, came to Ravenna Township, this county, in 1814, driving from Stockbridge, Mass., with a yoke of oxen, one wagon drawn by one horse and another wagon drawn by two horses. They had seven children with them and the journey occupied forty-two days. At that time Isaac Thompson was offered land in Cleveland, Ohio, anywhere east of the square, on Euclid Avenue, for $10 per acre. Their children were Mrs. Eliza Swift, who died in Ravenna, Ohio, in December, 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-five; Harry C, deceased; Charles B., deceased; Rev. Orrin C, in Detroit, Mich., who has been a Congregational minister for over fifty years; Richard J. and his twin brother Robert W., latter deceased; Mrs. Mary H. Sabin, and Mrs. Charlotte Carnahan, deceased. The mother died about 1844, aged seventy; the father followed her in about 1859, aged eighty five years. They were upright pioneer people and won the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Our subject married, November 16, 1834, Miss Adelia Benton, of Guilford, Conn., and to this union were born four daughters: Mrs. Julia B. Hall, of Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Hattie L. Hanna, of the same place; Mrs. Helen C. McLain, deceased, and Mrs. Frances D. Smith, deceased. Mrs. Thompson died January 11, 1883. She was a member of the Congregational Church and a lady of estimable Christian character. Mr. Thompson is one of the original Republicans of Portage County. In early days he took a deep interest in the movement against the cause of slavery. He is one of those devoted men who will be honored by future generations as the sustainers of the famous "Underground Railroad." His present residence, where he has lived over seventy years, was the building in which the first court of Portage County was held. He is now one of the oldest continuous residents of the township. Mr. Thompson bought and used the first mowing machine brought into the Western Reserve, one of the old Ketchum patent. People used to come from all points to see it work. This would be about the year 1855, or perhaps earlier.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885