GEORGE W. THOMPSON, one of the old and highly respected citizens of Bedford County, was the oldest son and second child of Newcom and Amy (Fisher) Thompson. He was born February 1, 1823, near Shelbyville, and was reared on a farm, his father being a wealthy farmer and manufacturer.
At the age of eighteen he engaged in the tanner’s trade, and continued till he was married, when he moved to Shelbyville and served as constable, then a lucrative office, for two years. He then ran a saw-mill for four years and also bought a large tract of timber land. He then returned to Shelbyville and served as constable or collecting officer again for four years. He then engaged in the family grocery business till 1861. During the war he was a Union man and was not engaged in any special avenue of business. In 1866 he was elected to the Legislature and attended the regular and call sessions of 1866 and of 1868. During this time, and ever since, he has been a farmer.
He was married, May 18, 1843, to Martha M. Cannon, who bore him five children, three of whom are now living, viz.: Amy F., the widow of C. A. Warren, Sr.; Letitia, the wife of C. A. Warren, Jr., and Mollie G. Mrs. Thompson departed this life July 14, 1874. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F. Politically he is a firm Republican, and he is and always has been an enterprising and energetic citizen of Bedford County.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.