| Notes |
- William Thomson was born 8 June 1856 at Drumbo, Ontario, Canada. The family moved around and later settled on a farm near Harriston, Ontario. On October 25, 1879 William left home and headed west. He was traveling with friends and went to North Dakota, USA. He wanted to remain under the British flag so left North Dakota by train and arrived in Carberry, Manitoba, Canada on June 2, 1883. He then proceed to walk to Neepawa, Manitoba where a boyhood friend, William Connell lived. A few days later he left for Sheelmouth, Manitoba via Minnedosa and Russell. He staked out a homestead near Russell, Manitoba and build a small building and broke twenty acres of land. The next spring he put in his crop only to have it frozen in a June frost. William returned to Neepawa and purchased the SW 1/4 30-14-15 from Isaac Davidson in 1884. (Mr. Davidson had purchased the land from Richard Campbell who had received the Homestead Grant in 1883). He returned to Ontario in 1887 and on March 14, 1888 married Mary Jane Connell of Harriston, Ontario, (next property neighbors to the Thomson's). They returned to Neepawa, Manitoba in 1888. Their first home was a log structure situated on the north side of a ravine facing Stoney Creek school. They later relocated to the south side of the 1/4 section and built a new home. They called the farm Glenside Farm. They had six children, Wilfred, Janet, Mabel, Harvey, Margaret and Helen. In 1894, they purchased the NW 1/4 19-14-15. In 1901 they purchased the NW 1/4 30-14-15 from homesteader David Albert Stewart, the Stoney Creek school is located on this property. In 1898 was visiting his parents in Ontario when his mother died. They retired to Neepawa in 1920 (where they had build a home). William died in 1939 and Mary died in 1953 at age 93. They were staunch Presbyterians and devout members of Knox Church. William was a member of session and Mary was a life member of the Women's Missionary Society for sixty four years.
The above is a summary of an article William wrote for the Knox Church Men's Club in 1938. It was transcribed by his granddaughter Margaret (Thomson) Harper in the late 1960's. It was re transcribed by Ann A. Thomson in 1999. Some additional information is from the Stoney Creek Book, 1970.
A letter from Mary A. Thomson 1872-1953 to John Albert Thomson 1879-1936 dated April 11, 1913 stated "Will & Mary were up to Watson's for Easter and Will went on to Lumsden he says Annie (Annie (Thomson) Baird, William's sister living in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada) is very thin and worn looking and was very pleased to see him ".
Marriage Registration 012311 Archives of Ontario microfilm MS932 Reel 73. Registered as Thompson. William was listed as a 31 year old farmer of Beautiful Plains, Manitoba (Canada). His mother's name was listed as Adeline Darling (?). Witnesses at the wedding were Janet Connell and I.R. Luddaby. The service was conducted by Rev. John Barker. William was at home in Minto Township, Wellington County, Ontario in 1898 when his mother died. William is buried in Lot 12, Block 1, Range 8, Riverview Cemetery, Neepawa.
1901 Canada Census, Manitoba, District 8 MacDonald, Sub district E4 Langford, Microfilm T-6433
Page 4, House 24, Family 24
Name, Sex, Color, Relationship, Marital Status, Birth Date, Age, Born, Ethnic Origin, Religion, Occupation
Thomson, William, M, W, Head, M, 8 June 1856, 44, Ontario, Scottish, Presbyterian, Farmer
Thomson, Mary J., F, W, Wife, M, 27 September 1860, 40, Ontario, Scottish, Presbyterian
Thomson, Wilfred J., M, W, Son, S, 5 April 1889, 12, Manitoba, Scottish, Presbyterian
Thomson, Janet P., F, W, Daughter, S, 29 March 1891, 10, Manitoba, Scottish, Presbyterian
Thomson, Agnes M., F, W, Daughter, S, 26 August 1893, 7, Manitoba, Scottish, Presbyterian
Thomson, John H., M, W, Son, S, 1 February 1896, 5, Manitoba, Scottish, Presbyterian
Thomson, Margaret C., F, W, Daughter, S, 3 January 1901, 0, Manitoba, Scottish, Presbyterian
Harris, Samuel, M, W, Servant, S, 26 October 1869, 31, England, English, Immigrated in 1894
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1856 - 1939 (82 years)
