City: Memphis
THOMPSON, Jesse W., lumberman; born Warsaw, Ind., in 1861; educated in the schools of Leesburg, Warsaw and Terre Haut [sic], Ind.; began his career as a teacher; in 1883 he entered the drug business at Leesburg, Ind., and remained in that business until 1885, when he sold out to engage in buying and shipping grain; five years later he went to Nettleton, Miss., where he became associated with the Nettleton Hardwood Lumber Co., and in 1891 he was made president and general manager of the company; in 1893 he came to Memphis; as the junior member of the firm of Taenzer & Thompson, dealers in lumber; this partnership continued until 1898, when he bought the entire business, and the following year the J.W. Thompson Lumber Co. was incorporated, of which he is now president; he is a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Concatenated Order of Hoo Hoos.
Source: Who’s Who in Tennessee: A Biographical Reference Book of Notable Tennesseans of To-Day. Memphis: Paul & Douglas Co, 1911.
