Death of Levi E. Thompson, One of the Oldest Settlers of Evansville

We regret that we are called this week to chronicle the death of Levi E. Thompson, who died at his old home in Evansville, Wednesday night at 11:30 o'clock, after an illness of only three days. He was down town and participated in the Fourth of July celebration, and also again last Monday was in town and transacted business, but during that night was taken with bowel trouble from which he never recovered. He lingered along, free from pain, until Wednesday night, when death relieved him from earthly care. He was surrounded by families of his two sons, who did all they could to assist him, but he had lived a good and useful life, more than the time allotted to general mankind, and was willing and ready to meet his maker.

Levi Ellsworth Thompson was born in Avon, Conn., December 25, 1810, of strict old Puritan parents, and was married to Miss Nancy Wheeler July 20, 1832. His wife bore him nine children, four of whom are now living: Mrs. Nancy Wilson and Mrs. Emily Strong, of Merton, Steel County, Minn., E. L. Thompson, of Leaf Valley and Frank Thompson, of Evansville.

His wife died in Black Earth, Wisc., in the year 1855, and in the spring of 1866, Mr. Thompson came here and took up the claim where he has since resided. During his life he had accumulated considerable property but, like many others, had allowed this and that piece to go, until at the time of his death was worth in the neighborhood of $3,000.

He was the fourth child of nine born to his parents, but was the last one to go to his last resting place, his only surviving brother having died in Boston, Mass., about a year ago. To know Grandpa Thompson was to love him. He was one of a few men that had not an enemy in the wide world. Honest in all his dealings, an earnest Christian and an elder in the Presbyterian church, his advice in religious matters was always sought and ever found to be right.

The funeral takes place this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Presbyterian church.