Harlan T. Thompson
Among the farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, who believe in following twentieth-century methods in agriculture is Harlan T. Thompson, of Paint township. He comes from a splendid family, one that has alwavs stood for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth. Born in this county, he has spent his whole career of nearly a half century within its limits, and has always so conducted himself as to win the high esteem of his fellow citizens. He has never been seized with the roaming desire, which has led other Fayette county men to distant fields of endeavor. but has devoted his life to agriculture in his native county and has succeeded to a marked degree.
Harlan T. Thompson, proprietor of Maplehurst farm in Paint township, was born in this county May 14, 1864. His parents, John and Presocie (Sheley) Thompson, were natives of this county also. John Thompson, the son of James and Rhoda (Boyd) Thompson, was a native of Pennsylbania. and came to Fayette county about 1815. Consequently the family has been identified with the history of this county for nearly a century. John Thompson and wife reared a family of nine children. Mrs. Esther Harper, Harlan T., Clayton, Mrs. Addie Healy, Charles, Frank, James, Daniel and Lovie. Of these children the following are deceased : Esther, Addie, Daniel and Lovie.
Harlan T. Thompson was educated in the schools of Jasper township in the rude log school house built in the woods. All of his life has been spent on the farm, and since reaching the age of twenty-one years he has been working for himself. At the age of thirty-five he bought his first farm in Logan county, this state, but later he disposed of this farm and bought his present farm of one hundred acres, two miles west of Bloomingburg on the Lewis pike, and he has a well improved and highly prodnctive farm and keeps well abreast of the latest advances in agriculture.
Mr. Thompson was married February 24, 1892. to Etta Hidy, the daughter of William and Lucinda (West) Hidy. Mrs. Thompson's father was a native of this county, being the son of George and Barbara (Sanderson) Hidy. Eleven children were born to William Hidy and wife: Etta, .Albert, Arthur, Carey, Frank, Hayes, Charles, Harley, Mrs. Gertrude Flax, Mrs. Ethel Allen, and Mrs. Elba Smith. All of these children are still living except Hayes.
Mr. Thompson and wife are the parents of three children, Nona, Carrie, and Edith, deceased. Fraternally, Mr. Thompson is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, while, religiously, he and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)