IN MEMORIAM. 347 



this sketch died at " Ehn Dale Farm," near "Worcester, October 

 12, 1870, aged fifty-one years. 



Mr. Thompson was elected to this Board in 1863 by the Nan- 

 tucket Agricultural Society, and was the efficient president of 

 that society at the time of his decease and for nearly ten years 

 previous. He had been known as one of its leading members ; 

 always among its principal contributors. 



It was truly a sad day to that society, when he and his family 

 bade them farewell, and removed last April with his fine herds 

 to Worcester County. 



Mr. Thompson was a member of the Massachusetts House of 

 Representatives from Nantucket in 1861, but the political arena 

 had no charm for him. Often would he say, the good points of 

 Jersey stock had more attractions than the caucus. He was 

 selectman of his native town seven years, and a faithful servant 

 too. In this Board he was a valued member, and we remember 

 him as constant at his post of duty, a ready debater, a courteous, 

 high-minded gentleman, entering into the discussions with great 

 enthusiasm, exhibiting good culture, honesty of purpose and 

 persistent effort in the cause of agriculture, to which he was 

 ardently devoted. 



Of Iionored Puritan extraction, his character and bearing were 

 dignified and transparent, and if not a great man in the ordinary 

 sense, he was better — a practical man. 



He remained in the paternal home and on the farm until his 

 father's death, and then bound himself to learn the trade of a 

 carpenter, which business he successfully pursued until the 

 year 1860. Afterwards commenced the manufacture of woollen 

 hosiery and mittens, in connection with the dry goods business, 

 and with these interests on his hands carried on farming, making 

 a specialty of rearing Jersey stock. His stock soon outgrew 

 his room, and he removed to " Elm Dale Farm." This pllace in 

 colonial times belonged to Governor John Hancock, and his 

 deed, now extant, shows the value of farming lands in that early 

 period in Worcester County, for it was sold for one shilling- per 

 acre. 



His last illness, of about six weeks, was attended with much 

 pain and suffering, but he bore all with submission, giving 

 directions from time to time as to the business of the farm and 



