Prof. F. S. Thompson Dies Sunday At Morton Home
Prof. Francis S. Thompson, for eighteen years superintendent of Consolidated School District No. 214 with headquarters at Morton, died at his home at that place Sunday evening from heart failure, following a few days' illness. He was 67 years of age and came to Lewis county from Knoxville, Ia., 28 years ago to accept the position of superintendent of the Chehalis schools, which position he held five years. Later he was principal of one of the Tacoma city schools five years and for a time served under former Governor Ernest Lister as superintendent of the state training school at Chehalis. He was one of the best known educators in the state and was widely known among school men. Following his retirement this fall from the position as head of the Morton consolidated district, he began the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar when a young man.
Professor Thompson was a lifelong democrat and was a candidate of his party for the position of Lewis county school superintendent at the last election. He was recognized as one of eastern Lewis county's outstanding political and civic leaders in public affairs. He took an influential part in pressing highway development, both state and county, for eastern Lewis county and had a great part to do with helping to secure the splendid system of state roads which that district enjoys. He was a recoggnized leader of the Morton Chamber of Commerce and the Eastern Lewis County Citizens' League.
Mr. Thompson was also prominent in fraternal affairs. He was a member of the masonic blue lodge and served as master while at Chehalis; also later at Morton, where he had transferred his membership. He was active in Knights of Pythias lodge work while at Chehalis; belonged to the Modern Woodmen at Morton; to Chehalis Lodge No. 1374 B. P. O. Elks, and the Yeomen lodge of Chehalis. He was especially versed in Masonry and because he was a gifted orater, his services were widely sought for lectures before lodges of that organization and on various other ocacsions [stet].
Surviving relatives are his widow, Mrs. Hattie Thompson of Morton, and a daughter, Miss Frances Thompson, who is an instructor in Jason Lee Junior high school in Tacoma. The body was brought to the Sticklin Mortuary at Chehalis, pending the funeral arrangements.
Many local friends joined with a large number from eastern Lewis county in attending Profesor [stet] Thompson's funeral, which was held Wednesday afternoon at the Sticklin Mortuary. Many beautiful floral tributes attested the regard of friends for the deceased. The Morton Masonic lodge was in charge of the services at the chapel and at the graveside. The prayer was by Rev. J. C. Tourtellot of the Chehalis Presbyterian church. Honorary pall bearers were John M. Ponder, F. M. Power and Geo. R. Walker, Chehalis; John B. Peterson, H. E. Hunt and Frank B. Kepner of Tacoma. Active pall bearers were Claude Morris, F. E. Stewart, C. B. Smith, WM. Fairhart, Steve Bergen and George Chesser, members of the Morton Masonic lodge. Burial was at Claquato.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 23 October 1931, Front page. Microfilm available at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, WA. 98512
Transcribed by Kathryn Lester. She has no further information on this individual.