"An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country; Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties; State of Washington". Spokane, Western Historical Publishing Company, Publishers, 1904. pp. 821-822. GEORGE R. N. THOMPSON has achieved a success in the western country that may well inspire commendation and be a source of pardonable pride. He has demonstrated a practical judgment and an ability in financial matters that have won the way to the possession of a magnificent estate, and a comfortable fortune which insures that retirement from activities of business in later years which is so acceptable to all. He came to the west without a dollar and in fact in the possession of some debts as a dampner in effort. He determined to win the smiles of dame fortune and has done it by wisdom and industry, so successfully, that he has secured possessions which place him as one of the leading property owners of Adams county. George R. N. Thompson was born in Missouri, April 16, 1864, the son of George W. and Mary M. (Ball) Thompson. The father was a pioneer of Missouri and during the Civil war was one of the Home Guard. His death occurred on September 19, 1863, after having spent a good life and won many friends and the respect of those who knew him. The mother was born in Missouri and came to Starbuck, Washington, in 1891, where she still resides. George was reared in Missouri and in the common schools secured his education. His youth was spent much the same as that of the ordinary lad in his country and when he arrived at manhood's estate, he had learned the common branches well and knew how to perform general work and handle a farm. With these qualifications, he began life for himself and labored for wages for a time. In 1884, he determined to try the west and being of an energetic spirit, he at once went to California. Some time was spent in learning of that country and working for wages. It was on November 4, 1884, that he came to Columbia county, that being the date of his landing there. He worked for wages and so well did he take advantage of his opportunities that in two years more he was buying wheat at Relief station in that county. Then he dealt in cattle and horses and gradually got into the stock business. In 1896, he came to Adams county and purchased land and to this he has added until he has at this day twenty-five hundred and sixty acres of land. This magnificent domain is utilized both for grain raising and for stock breeding and he is a very successful man in both of these lines. The estate is located a few miles northeast from Washtucna and is one of the choice one of the country. Mr. Thompson is to be congratulated on his gatherings and its well to call attention to the fact that it is not some turn of ěluckî as some state when a man gets the reward of his labors, but it is the result of his farseeing wisdom and improvement of the opportunities that presented themselves and which he sought out. Mr. Thompson has won the admiration and respect of the people and stands well at this day. He is one of the leading and influential men of the county and has gained this distinction by reason of his worth and his integrity. Submitted by: Georgia Harter Williams, georgiahw@earthlink.net