John E. Thompson was born in 1866, the son of James Decalb Thompson and Sarah Mariah (Day) Thompson.

Ella (Bolton) Thompson, born December, 1873, was the daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte Bolton and Louisa (Johnson) Bolton.

John E. and Ella were married in 1893. They had four children, Lena and Lenna (twins), Otis and Edmond. Lena married Gilbert Simpson. Lenna married Waitman "Wade" Everson. Edmond married Winnie Sinsel.

John was a coal miner and Ella was a homemaker. They lived in different areas in Barbour County but the last place they lived was on the Mt. Liberty Road. At the time of this writing, the house is owned by Virginia Wilmoth, widow of Raymond Wilmoth. The house is still standing but is vacant, February 17, 1994.

I don’t remember my grandfather working in the mines. I was too young to remember that part. I remember working on the farm with him. Also my brother.

My grandfather’s education was limited. He told me he didn’t have much of a chance to attend school in his younger days. His mother died while he was still a small boy. He told me he had to work very hard.

They kept a cow, chicken, hogs and would exchange at the store, butter and eggs for groceries. I remember walking to Poling’s Store on Route 250 with Grandma. We took eggs and butter. On warm days, we had to walk very fast so we could get to the store before the butter melted. She would always get me some candy from the eggs and butter money. This was a big treat for me.

They were well thought of in the community. They both were members of the Mt. Liberty Church of Christ.

Grandpa Thompson died April, 1950 at his home after an extended illness. Grandma died at the home of my parents, Otis and Iris Thompson, in February, 1957. J. B. Runner was the funeral director in both cases. They both were laid to rest in the Mt. Liberty Cemetery.

By Robert Thompson, grandson