Another of the pioneer residents of Elgin answered the last roll call at midnight, Friday April 4, 1913, when Mrs Jennie Thompson passed from life. The funeral services were conducted in the Christian Church Sunday afternoon, and the remains intered beside those of her husband, who died less than a year ago.
Jemima Meyers was born in New York in 1838. She was married to Andy Thompson December 7, 1858 after which they moved to Illinois, where they resided several years. She came with her husband and family to Elgin 23 years ago and resided here continuously. She was the mother of six sons and three daughters, two of the sons preceeding her to the grave.
The surviving children living here are Owen, Sam, and Ed Thompson and Mrs. C.F. Garrett. One son lives in Alaska, and one of the remaining daughters lives in Montana and the other in California.
Deceased was a good mother and loved her children above all. Her last thought was for their welfare. She was a good, faithful Christian, and a woman loved by all who knew her for her many noble qualities.
The community joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved, at the same time remembering that she has gone to claim a well-earned reward. Daughters Alice Kennitz, California, Maggie Kinnick, Grass Range, Montana, and Cora Garrett of Elgin. Sons are Owen, Sam, Edward of Elgin and Dick of Alaska.
Aditional note, added by Beulah Thompson Smith, grandaughter to Andy & Jennie, “When I knew grandma and grandpa they had moved to Elgin from their farm on Cricket Flat. They had pine trees around their house and a swing for the grandchildren to play on. I remeber a narrow stairway in the house to go upstairs to sleep. When I was little, I often sat on grandpa’s lap and played with his watch fob. He had a long white beard like Santa Claus. Grandma had part of a finger missing. She lost it in the meat grinder”.
1913 Obituary:
The Elgin Recorder, Elgin, Union County, Oregon
Note: Interment was made in the Elgin Cemetery at Clarks Creek Block 34, Lot 3, Grave 4
Contributed By: Daniel Carpenter
April, 2002