Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1910 — DEATH CAME SUDDENLY TO SIMON P. THOMPSON. [ARTICLE]

DEATH CAME SUDDENLY TO SIMON P. THOMPSON.

Wealthy and Well Known Lawyer Passed Away Sunday Evening at His Home on Work Street. Judge Simon Parr Thompson, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Jasper county, and one of the wealthiest, passed away Sunday evening at about 6:30 o’clock at his residence on Work street.. Death came suddenly while he was conversing with his son-in-law, Harry R. Kurrie, and was due to heart failure. His daughter, Mrs. Kurrie and son, Firman, were at home when death occurred, but were in another room. Judge Thompson returned about six weeks ago from Brandentown, Florida, where he had spent several weeks in company with his wife, in the hope that the climate would be beneficial to her. For many years Mrs. Thompson had been an invalid and his watchfulness over her was constant. Relatives and friends realized for a long time that he was wearing out under the load but with a devotion that was very remarkable he was her constant companion and spent winters in the south or in California in the hope-that the change of scenery and climate might restore to her the spark of mental balance that had been so long absent. He was appealed to time and again to have her taken to an asylum in order that he might be relieved of her care, but he would not do it. The past few months had seen him break down < < under the load and he returned from Florida in a serious condition. It was found necessary to. separate him from his wife and she was taken to Longcllffe in the hope that both might be benefited. But the separation came too late and he gradually weakened and his family have known for some time that his recovery was practically impossible. He suffered from myocarditis, which is a degeneration of the muscular wall of the heart. He also had Brights disease. During Saturday and Sunday there was no considerable change in his condition and he was able to be out for a drive each day. Less than an hour before death came he was able to leave the house and go to the residence of his brother-ih-law, Frank Foltz, near by. The doctors had prepared the family for the worst, however, and death Was not altogether unexpected. Simoh P. Thompson was born in Hancock county, Ohio, May 8, 1838. He came to Rensselaer as a school teacher in the early sixties and after teaching school for a short time he entered the employ of McCoy & Thompson, bankers, and during the time engaged in the study of law. He then entered the practice of that profession and for twenty-five years was at the head of the firm of Thompson & Brother. He served as prosecuting attorney and as judge of the circuit composed of Jasper, Benton and Newton counties. Since retiring from the bench he has devoted only a small part of his time to the legal profession, owing to the condition of his wife’s health. He has been a large land owner in Jasper county for many years, mainly in Union township, and the town of Parr was founded by him and named after him. He has been identified with many of the great improvements in Jasper* county and Was one of the public spirited men of the city of Rensselaer and Jasper county. Ho is the last of the four brothers who located in Rensselaer, viz. Alfred, David J., Thomas and Simon P., to pass away. He is survived by his oldest brother, Isaac, whose home is in Bluffton, Ohio, but who spent the winter with the Judge in Florida and returned here with him and is now here. The funeral of Judge Thompson will be held at the late residence at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, being conducted by Dr. H. L. Kindig, of Rochester, and formerly pastor of Trinity M. E. church. The casket will remain open from 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock Wednesday morning, and friends are invited to come during those hours and view the remains. The casket will not be opened after the funeral service. Burial will be made in the family lot in Weston cemetery, “Good things go further.” That’s why knowing house wives like the “Home Grocery kind” of goods.