LeGrand Byington Thompson
Le Grand Byington Thompson was born on Blue Creek, in Adams County, September 24, 1846. His father was Thomas W. Thompson and his mother, Elizabeth Wilson Broomfield. both born in 1818. His maternal great-grandfather was John Williams, an Englishman and a carpenter. He located at the mouth of Brush Creek in 1794. He was known as Captain Jack Williams. He built the first house at the mouth sf Blue Creek. It was a frame of two stories, ceiled, weatherboarded, and filled inside with timber and clay. It was known as the shop. John Williams died in 1853. and is buried at Union Chapel. His wife was Mary Duncan, who died in 1832. Our subject's grandfather, Isaac Thompson, and his wife, Mary Williams, were married in 1816. His father. Thomas W., was born in April, 1818, near the mouth of Blue Creek. His grandfather and grandmother Thompson moved to Indiana in 1821, near the present site of Muncie, and died there within a few days of each other of the fever and ague, leaving two sons, Thomas W. and Duncan. Their nearest white neighbors were forty miles distant. There were Indians near them who were kind to them. Their uncles, Thomas and Jesse Williams, learned of their condition and traveled overland from Adams County to take them home. They brought the two boys back to Adams County to their grandfather at the mouth of Blue Creek, where they both remained till they were married. Thomas W. Thompson was a prominent Methodist, and a soldier of the Civil War. He enlisted October 21, 1861, in Company B, 70th O. V. I., at the age of forty-four, for three years, and was discharged for disability on September 22, 1862. He died in 1875.
Our subject was educated in the common schools. On September 23, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, 182d O. V. I., and served until July 7, 1865. He was Trustee of Jefferson Township in 1878 and 1879, and Clerk of the Township in 1880. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a Republican. He is one of the Trustees of Morris Chapel. He was married November 5, 1869, to. Miss Margaret E. Thacher, daughter of Elisha and Rebecca A. Thacher.
Mr. Thompson is noted for his truthfulness, honesty and energy. He gives his word and promise carefully and considerately and then is never satisfied till he lives up to it. He never tires in any work he undertakes, and whatever he tries to do he does it with all the strong force of his nature. He is noted for his intelligence and for his strictly moral life. His qualities of character have endeared him to all of his acquaintance.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900