Compendium of History and Biography of Northern Minnesota, 1902, p. 493
Peter A. Thompson, proprietor of one of the fine farms of Vineland township is an early settler of Polk county and has accumulated a good property and gained an enviable reputation as a citizen. He is well versed in his calling, having followed the life of an agriculturist since his boyhood, and he has made the best possible use of his observations and practical experiences and is one of the intelligent and energetic men of his community.
Mr. Thompson was born in Vestre Toten, Norway, August 21, 1845, and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children born to Thomas and Mary (Peterson) Thomason. He was reared to farm life in his native land until he attained his majority, when he came to America in company with two of his sisters (Trine Berg and Eline Bangen). He sailed from Christiania and landed at Quebec, Canada, and from there went to Columbia County, Wisconsin. He worked on a farm for about 18 months, while his sisters resided in Freeborn County, Minnesota. As soon as he had earned enough money to pay his indebtedness to them and pay his fare to Freeborn County, he joined them there and worked in that county until 1873. He then went to Polk County, arriving about the middle of June, after a five weeks' journey with oxen via Georgetown, up the Dakota side to Belmont. On this trip he could not rest at night, as he had to watch the cattle else they would stray some miles from camp and he had to go for them in the morning before proceeding on the journey. After reaching Polk County, he filed claim as a pre-emption on section 11, of Vineland township. This proved to be railroad land and he had to pay the railroad company seven dollars per acre and also pay for each cord of wood used. He resided on this tract until 1893 when he bought land in section 7, of the same township, and he has since been a resident there. He controls 320 acres of good land, all of which is tillable. He marketed his first wheat in Fisher until the St. Vincent line of railroad was built, and his market place now is Climax. In the early days everybody's credit was good with the Hudson's Bay Company and the settler could not have endured without this aid. The company furnished them with anything from thread to stock and machinery, but the prices paid were necessarily high. The first stove our subject owned was an ordinary affair and cost $43. Coffee was three pounds for a dollar, four $8 per barrel, and salt $10 per barrel.
Mr. Thompson is the father of ten children (five more were born after this article was written) and is a member of the Sand Hill Lutheran Church. He is a supporter of the People's party politically, and is a usual delegate to county conventions, and is an earnest worker for party principles.
Peter was married first to Ann Marit Peterson and they had three children, Martinius and Christian Thorvald Thompson, and Helene. Mary died in 1877. Peter then married Mathea Throndsen and they had three children, Henry Martinius and Arthur and Klara. Mathea died June 20, 1885. Peter then married Marie Fredrikson and they had 12 children: Bertha Hanstad, Thea, Magda Moen, John F., Olaf, Peter, Hans, Elvin, Marcus, Esther, Mabel and Palmer.