San
Joaquin County
Biographies
REES BOWEN THOMPSON
The life of this early pioneer began
in Tazewell County, Virginia, February 10, 1830, and closed in Oakland,
California, July 3, 1908. Between these
dates were enacted a life of usefulness exerted unselfishly toward the
betterment of his adopted home in the west.
Leaving his southern home in the year 1850, Rees Bowen Thompson came to
California across the plains, going direct to Hangtown, now Placerville, where
he engaged in mining. After he had
remained there a year he returned east for his parents, with whom he had moved
from Virginia to Missouri. With his
parents Mr. Thompson again took up his westward march in 1852, crossing the
plains this time as he had done two years previously. Coming direct to San Joaquin County, he
settled eighteen miles from Stockton near a place which has since become known
as New Hope, where he purchased a large ranch and engaged in the cattle
business until the year 1880.
Mr. Thompson’s interest in and
qualifications for public life led to his election as representative to the
legislature from San Joaquin County in 1880, at which time he was the only
member of the Democratic Party in the house.
He was elected by a large majority, his great popularity with both
parties taking many votes from his opponent on the Republican ticket. After his election to the legislature Mr.
Thompson disposed of a portion of his ranch property and the following year,
1881, removed to Oakland, which was his home thereafter until his death July 3,
1908. While living in New Hope he was
united in marriage July 4, 1865, with Miss Josephine Hardesty, a native of
Indiana, who died in 1910 in Oakland.
Mr. Thompson was a man of much worth, integrity and earnestness of
purpose, and it can truly be said of him that he was representative of the best
in American citizenship, living up to a high standard in public and private
life.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
382. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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