[p. 707] who is identified with the Steel Car Forge Works, as chief clerk and paymaster, at Ellwood City, has been connected with large business concerns, in a clerical capacity, ever since he left school. He was born at Pittsburg, Pa., December 18, 1876, and is a son of Richard and Sophia (Gantner) Thompson.
The father of Mr. Thompson was born also in Pittsburg and was a glass worker by trade. His death was accidental and was caused by drowning while he was endeavoring to save others from the same fate. He married Sophia Gantner, who was a native of Pittsburg, and they had two children: William Richard and Ida, the latter of whom is the wife of George Geib, and resides on Bailey Avenue, Mount Washington, Pittsburg. Mr. Thompson died in 1877. His widow subsequently married N. D. Miller, who belongs to the same Miller family of Pittsburg that produced Judge Miller, of that city, and the well known musician, H. W. Miller.
William Richard Thompson was an infant when his father's noble act of self-sacrifice cost him his life, but he was carefully reared by his mother and was sent to school as soon as childhood was passed. He attended the Myersdale schools, then the Grant school in Pittsburg, and also took advantage of the Young Men's Christian Association night schools and also went to a German school for a short time. After he laid aside his books and faced the world for a subsistence, he first entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, as messenger boy, and later was promoted to an office position, becoming receiving clerk. From there he went to the master mechanic's office of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, at Glenwood, as mileage clerk, under the superintendent of that division, I. N. Kalbaugh. From there he went to the Oliver Wire Company, of Pittsburg, and was clerk in the purchasing department, under D. B. Smith, and after a certain period there he entered the accounting department, where he continued until the wire company sold out to the American Steel & Wire Company, when he was made chief clerk of the South Side, and later chief storekeeper of the Rankin Works. In 1900 Mr. Thompson resigned, in order to accept the position of chief clerk and paymaster of the Steel Car Forge Works, at Ellwood City. From messenger boy to his present responsible position is a long step, although the advance was made in a comparatively short period of time; but the fact of it demonstrates very plainly the sterling qualities possessed by the fatherless boy who, single-handed, worked out his own problem. Mr. Thompson occupies a position of trust and responsibility, stands high in the esteem of his employers and, as he has pursued his upright business course has made many friends, by the way, in other than business circles.
In 1901 Mr. Thompson was married to miss Cora Belle Alice Butler, of Ellwood City, and they have three children: George Edwin, Robert and Alice Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Hazelwood Christian Church. Their handsome brick residence at No. 304 Fountain Avenue, Ellwood City, Mr. Thompson completed in 1907. In politics, he is a stanch Republican and he is a member of the city council. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 599, F.& A.M., and to the Lodge of Perfection at New Castle. He is also a member of Alma Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Independent Order of Heptasophs.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 2 Dec 2001